Piperazine derivatives useful as CCR5 antagonists

ABSTRACT

The use of CCR5 antagonists of the formula  
                 
 
     or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein  
     R is optionally substituted phenyl, pyridyl, thiophenyl or naphthyl;  
     R 1  is hydrogen or alkyl;  
     R 2  is substituted phenyl, substituted heteroaryl, naphthyl, fluorenyl, diphenylmethyl or optionally substituted phenyl- or heteroaryl-alkyl;  
     R 3  is hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, or optionally substituted phenyl, phenylalkyl, naphthyl, naphthylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl;  
     R 4 , R 5  and R 7  are hydrogen or alkyl;  
     R 6  is hydrogen, alkyl or alkenyl;  
     for the treatment of HIV, solid organ transplant rejection, graft v. host disease, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, asthma, allergies or multiple sclerosis is disclosed, as well as novel compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and the combination of CCR5 antagonists of the invention in combination with antiviral agents useful in the treatment of HIV or agents useful in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates to piperazine derivatives useful as selective CCR5 antagonists, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, and methods of treatment using the compounds. The invention also relates to the use of a combination of a CCR5 antagonist of this invention and one or more antiviral or other agents useful in the treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The invention further relates to the use of a CCR-5 antagonist of this invention, alone or in combination with another agent, in the treatment of solid organ transplant rejection, graft v. host disease, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, asthma, allergies or multiple sclerosis.

[0002] The global health crisis caused by HIV, the causative agent of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), is unquestioned, and while recent advances in drug therapies have been successful in slowing the progression of AIDS, there is still a need to find a safer, more efficient, less expensive way to control the virus.

[0003] It has been reported that the CCR5 gene plays a role in resistance to HIV infection. HIV infection begins by attachment of the virus to a target cell membrane through interaction with the cellular receptor CD4 and a secondary chemokine co-receptor molecule, and proceeds by replication and dissemination of infected cells through the blood and other tissue. There are various chemokine receptors, but for macrophage-tropic HIV, believed to be the key pathogenic strain that replicates in vivo in the early stages of infection, the principal chemokine receptor required for the entry of HIV into the cell is CCR5. Therefore, interfering with the interaction between the viral receptor CCR5 and HIV can block HIV entry into the cell. The present invention relates to small molecules which are CCR5 antagonists.

[0004] CCR-5 receptors have been reported to mediate cell transfer in inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, asthma and allergies, and inhibitors of such receptors are expected to be useful in the treatment of such diseases, and in the treatment of other inflammatory diseases or conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, solid organ transplant rejection and graft v. host disease.

[0005] Related piperazine derivatives which are muscarinic antagonists useful in the treatment of cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's disease are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,883,096; 6,037,352; 5,889,006.

[0006] A-M. Vandamme et al., Antiviral Chemistry & Chemotherapy, 9:187-203 (1998) disclose current clinical treatments of HIV-1 infections in man including at least triple drug combinations or so-called Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (“HAART”); HAART involves various combinations of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (“NRTI”), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (“NNRTI”) and HIV protease inhibitors (“PI”). In compliant drug-naive patients, HAART is effective in reducing mortality and progression of HIV-1 to AIDS. However, these multidrug therapies do not eliminate HIV-1 and long-term treatment usually results in multidrug resistance. Development of new drug therapies to provide better HIV-1 treatment remains a priority.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention relates to the treatment of HIV comprising administering to a mammal in need of such treatment an effective amount of a CCR5 antagonist represented by the structural formula I:

[0008] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein

[0009] R is R⁸-phenyl, R⁸-pyridyl, R⁸-thiophenyl or R⁸-naphthyl;

[0010] R¹ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl;

[0011] R² is R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹-phenyl; R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹-substituted 6-membered heteroaryl; R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹-substituted 6-membered heteroaryl N-oxide; R¹², R¹³-substituted 5-membered heteroaryl; naphthyl; fluorenyl; diphenylmethyl

[0012] R³ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy(C₁-C₆)alkyl, C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkyl, C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, R⁸-phenyl, R⁸-phenyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, R⁸-naphthyl, R⁸-naphthyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, R⁸-heteroaryl or R⁸-heteroaryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl;

[0013] R⁴, R⁵, R⁷ and R¹³ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and (C₁-C₆)-alkyl;

[0014] R⁶ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or C₂-C₆ alkenyl;

[0015] R⁸ is 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, —CF₃, CF₃O—, CH₃C(O)—, —CN, CH₃SO₂—, CF₃SO₂—, R¹⁴-phenyl, R¹⁴-benzyl, CH₃C(═NOCH₃), CH₃C(═NOCH₂CH₃),

[0016] —NH₂, —NHCOCF₃, —NHCONH(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NHCO(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NHSO₂(C₁-C₆ alkyl), 5-membered heteroaryl and

[0017] wherein X is —O—, —NH— or —N(CH₃)—;

[0018] R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently selected from the group consisting of (C₁-C₆)alkyl, halogen, —NR¹⁷R¹⁸, —OH, —CF₃, —OCH₃, —O-acyl, —OCF₃ and —Si(CH₃)₃;

[0019] R¹¹ is R⁹, hydrogen, phenyl, —NO₂, —CN, —CH₂F, —CHF₂, —CHO, —CH═NOR¹⁷, pyridyl, pyridyl N-oxide, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, —N(R¹⁷)CONR¹⁸R¹⁹, —NHCONH(chloro-(C₁-C₆)alkyl), —NHCONH((C₃-C_(C) ₁)cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl), —NHCO(C₁-C₆)alkyl, 13 NHCOCF₃, —NHSO₂N((C₁-C₆)alkyl)₂, —NHSO₂(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —N(SO₂CF₃)₂, —NHCO₂(C₁-C₆)alkyl, C₃-C₁₀cycloalkyl, —SR²⁰—SOR²⁰, —SO₂R²⁰, —SO₂NH(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —OSO₂(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —OSO₂CF₃, hydroxy(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —CONR¹⁷R¹⁸, —CON(CH₂CH₂—O—CH₃)₂, —OCONH(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —CO₂R¹⁷, —Si(CH₃)₃ or —B(OC(CH₃)₂)₂;

[0020] R¹² is (C₁-C₆)alkyl, —NH₂ or R¹⁴-phenyl;

[0021] R¹⁴ is 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₆) alkyl, —CF₃, —CO₂R₁₇, —CN, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy and halogen;

[0022] R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁-C₆ alkyl, or R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ together are a C₂-C₅ alkylene group and with the carbon to which they are attached form a spiro ring of 3 to 6 carbon atoms;

[0023] R¹⁷, R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ are independently selected from the group consisting of H and C₁-C₆ alkyl; and

[0024] R²⁰ is C₁-C₆ alkyl or phenyl.

[0025] Preferred are compounds of formula I wherein R is R⁸-phenyl or R⁸-naphthyl, especially wherein R⁸ is a single substituent, and especially wherein the R⁸ substituent is in the 4-position. For R⁸-phenyl, preferred R⁸ substituents are —CF₃, —OCF₃, CH₃SO₂—, CH₃CO—, CH₃C(═NOCH₃)—, Br and I. For R⁸-naphthyl, R⁸ is preferably C₁-C₆ alkoxy. Also preferred are compounds of formula I wherein R³ is hydrogen, (C₁-C₆) alkyl, R⁸-phenyl. R⁸-benzyl or R⁸-pyridyl; more preferred definitions for R³ are methyl, ethyl, phenyl, benzyl and pyridyl. R¹ is preferably hydrogen. For compounds of formula I, R⁶ is preferably hydrogen or methyl, especially methyl. R⁴ is preferably methyl; R⁵ and R⁷ are each preferably hydrogen.

[0026] In compounds of formula I, R² is preferably R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹-phenyl, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹-pyridyl or an N-oxide thereof, or R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹-pyrimidyl. When R² is pyridyl, it is preferably 3- or 4-pyridyl, and when pyrimidyl, it is preferably 5-pyrimidyl. The R⁹ and R¹⁰ substituents are preferably attached to carbon ring members adjacent to the carbon joining the ring to the rest of the molecule and the R¹¹ substituent can be attached to any of the remaining unsubstituted carbon ring members, for example as shown in the following structures:

[0027] Preferred R⁹ and R¹⁰ substituents are: (C₁-C₆)alkyl, especially methyl; halogen, especially chloro or bromo, —OH and —NH₂. When R² is phenyl, R¹¹ is preferably hydrogen or —OH; when R² is pyridyl, R¹¹ is preferably hydrogen; and when R² is pyrimidyl, R¹¹ is preferably hydrogen, methyl or phenyl. Examples of particularly preferred R² groups are as follows:

[0028] Also claimed are novel CCR5 antagonist compounds represented by the structural formula II

[0029] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein

[0030] (1) R^(a) is R^(8a)-phenyl, R^(8b)-pyridyl, R^(8b)-thiophenyl or R⁸-naphthyl;

[0031] R¹ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl;

[0032] R² is R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹-phenyl; R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹-substituted 6-membered heteroaryl; R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹-substituted 6-membered heteroaryl N-oxide; R¹², R¹³-substituted 5-membered heteroaryl; naphthyl; fluorenyl; diphenylmethyl,

[0033] R³ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy(C₁-C₆)alkyl, C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkyl, C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, R⁸-phenyl, R⁸-phenyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, R⁸-naphthyl, R⁸-naphthyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, R⁸-heteroaryl or R⁸-heteroaryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl;

[0034] R⁴, R⁵, R⁷ and R¹³ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and (C₁-C₆)-alkyl;

[0035] R⁶ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or C₂-C₆ alkenyl;

[0036] R⁸ is 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, —CF₃, CF₃O—, CH₃C(O)—, —CN, CH₃SO₂—, CF₃SO₂—, R¹⁴-phenyl, R¹⁴-benzyl, CH₃C(═NOCH₃), CH₃C(═NOCH₂CH₃),

[0037] —NH₂, —NHCOCF₃, —NHCONH(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NHCO(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NHSO₂(C₁-C₆ alkyl), 5-membered heteroaryl and

[0038] wherein X is —O—, —NH— or —N(CH₃)—;

[0039] R^(8a) is 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, —CF₃, CF₃O—, —CN, CF₃SO₂—, R¹⁴-phenyl, —NHCOCF₃, 5-membered heteroaryl and

[0040] wherein X is as defined above;

[0041] R^(8b) is 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, —CF₃, CF₃O—, CH₃C(O)—, —CN, CF₃SO₂—, R¹⁴-benzyl, CH₃C(═NOCH₃), CH₃C(═NOCH₂CH₃),

[0042] —NHCOCF₃, 5-membered heteroaryl and

[0043] wherein X is as defined above;

[0044] R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently selected from the group consisting of (C₁-C₆)alkyl, halogen, —NR¹⁷R¹⁸, —OH, —CF₃, —OCH₃, —O-acyl, —OCF₃ and —Si(CH₃)₃;

[0045] R¹¹ is R⁹, hydrogen, phenyl, —NO₂, —CN, —CH₂F, —CHF₂, —CHO, —CH═NOR¹⁷, pyridyl, pyridyl N-oxide, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, —N(R¹⁷)CONR¹⁸R¹⁹, —NHCONH(chloro-(C₁-C₆)alkyl), —NHCONH((C₃-C₁)cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl), —NHCO(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —NHCOCF₃, —NHSO₂N((C₁-C₆)alkyl)₂, —NHSO₂(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —N(SO₂CF₃)₂, —NHCO₂(C₁-C₆)alkyl, C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkyl, —SR²⁰, —SOR²⁰; —SO₂R²⁰, —SO₂NH(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —OSO₂(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —OSO₂CF₃, hydroxy(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —CON R¹⁷R¹⁸, —CON(CH₂CH₂—O—CH₃)₂, —OCONH(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —CO₂R¹⁷, —Si(CH₃)₃ or —B(OC(CH₃)₂)₂;

[0046] R¹² is (C₁-C₆)alkyl, —NH₂ or R¹⁴-phenyl;

[0047] R¹⁴ is 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₆) alkyl, —CF₃, —CO₂R₁₇, —CN, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy and halogen;

[0048] R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁-C₆ alkyl, or R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ together are a C₂-C₅ alkylene group and with the carbon to which they are attached form a spiro ring of 3 to 6 carbon atoms;

[0049] R¹⁷, R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ are independently selected from the group consisting of H and C₁-C₆ alkyl; and

[0050] R²⁰ is C₁-C₆ alkyl or phenyl; or

[0051] (2) R^(a) is R⁸-phenyl, R⁸-pyridyl or R⁸-thiophenyl;

[0052] R² is fluorenyl, diphenylmethyl,

[0053] and R¹, R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, R¹⁶, R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are as defined in (1).

[0054] Preferred compounds of formula II are those defined in (1).

[0055] More preferred are those of formula II(1) wherein R^(a) is R^(8a)-phenyl or R⁸-naphthyl, wherein R^(8a)is —CF₃, CF₃O— or halogen and R⁸ is C₁-C₆ alkoxy. The R^(8a)or R⁸ substituent is preferably a single substituent; it is especially preferred that the R^(8a) or R⁸ substituent is in the 4-position. Also preferred are compounds of formula II(1) wherein R³ is hydrogen, (C₁-C₆) alkyl, R⁸-phenyl. R⁸-benzyl or R⁸-pyridyl; more preferred definitions for R³ are methyl, ethyl, phenyl, benzyl and pyridyl. R¹ is preferably hydrogen. For compounds of formula II(1), R⁶ is preferably hydrogen or methyl, especially methyl. R⁴ is preferably methyl; R⁵ and R⁷ are each preferably hydrogen.

[0056] R² in formula II(1) is preferably as defined for formula 1, i.e., R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹-phenyl, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹-pyridyl or an N-oxide thereof, or R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹-pyrimidyl, wherein the R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹-substitution is as defined above for preferred compounds of formula I.

[0057] Another aspect of the invention is a pharmaceutical composition for treatment of HIV comprising an effective amount of a CCR5 antagonist of formula II in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Another aspect of the invention is a pharmaceutical composition for treatment of solid organ transplant rejection, graft v. host disease, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, asthma, allergies or multiple sclerosis comprising an effective amount of a CCR5 antagonist of formula II in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[0058] Yet another aspect of this invention is a method of treatment of HIV comprising administering to a human in need of such treatment an effective amount of a CCR5 antagonist compound of formula II. Another aspect of the invention is a method of treatment of solid organ transplant rejection, graft v. host disease, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, asthma, allergies or multiple sclerosis comprising administering to a human in need of such treatment an effective amount of a CCR5 antagonist compound of formula I or II.

[0059] Still another aspect of this invention is the use of a CCR5 antagonist of formula I or 11 of this invention in combination with one or more antiviral or other agents useful in the treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus for the treatment of AIDS. Still another aspect of this invention is the use of a CCR5 antagonist of formula I or 11 of this invention in combination with one or more other agents useful in the treatment of solid organ transplant rejection, graft v. host disease, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis. The CCR5 and antiviral or other agents which are components of the combination can be administered in a single dosage form or they can be administered separately; a kit comprising separate dosage forms of the actives is also contemplated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0060] As used herein, the following terms are used as defined below unless otherwise indicated.

[0061] Alkyl represents straight and branched carbon chains and contains from one to six carbon atoms.

[0062] Alkenyl represents C₂-C₆ carbon chains having one or two unsaturated bonds, provided that two unsaturated bonds are not adjacent to each other.

[0063] Substituted phenyl means that the phenyl group can be substituted at any available position on the phenyl ring.

[0064] Acyl means a radical of a carboxylic acid having the formula alkyl-C(O)—, aryl-C(O)—, aralkyl-C(O)—, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-C(O)—, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl-C(O)—, and heteroaryl-C(O)—, wherein alkyl and heteroaryl are as defined herein; aryl is R¹⁴-phenyl or R¹⁴-naphthyl; and aralkyl is aryl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, wherein aryl is as defined above.

[0065] Heteroaryl represents cyclic aromatic groups of 5 or 6 atoms or bicyclic groups of 11 to 12 atoms having 1 or 2 heteroatoms independently selected from O, S or N, said heteroatom(s) interrupting a carbocyclic ring structure and having a sufficient number of delocalized pi electrons to provide aromatic character, provided that the rings do not contain adjacent oxygen and/or sulfur atoms. For 6-membered heteroaryl rings, carbon atoms can be substituted by R⁹, R¹⁰ or R¹¹ groups. Nitrogen atoms can form an N-oxide. All regioisomers are contemplated, e.g., 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl and 4-pyridyl. Typical 6-membered heteroaryl groups are pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl and the N-oxides thereof. For 5-membered heteroaryl rings, carbon atoms can be substituted by R¹² or R¹³ groups. Typical 5-membered heteroaryl rings are furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl and isoxazolyl. 5-Membered rings having one heteroatom can be joined through the 2- or 3- position; 5-membered rings having two heteroatoms are preferably joined through the 4-position. Bicyclic groups typically are benzo-fused ring systems derived from the heteroaryl groups named above, e.g. quinolyl, phthalazinyl, quinazolinyl, benzofuranyl, benzothienyl and indolyl.

[0066] Preferred points of substitution for 6-membered heteroaryl rings at R² are described above. When R² is a 5-membered heteroaryl group, the R¹² and R¹³ substituents are preferably attached to carbon ring members adjacent to the carbon joining the ring to the rest of the molecule, and R¹² is preferably alkyl; however, if a heteroatom is adjacent to the carbon joining the ring to the rest of the molecule (i.e., as in 2-pyrrolyl), R¹² is preferably attached to a carbon ring member adjacent to the carbon joining the ring to the rest of the molecule.

[0067] Halogen represents fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo.

[0068] One or more, preferaby one to four, antiviral agents useful in anti-HIV-1 therapy may be used in combination with a CCR5 antagonist of the present invention. The antiviral agent or agents may be combined with the CCR5 antagonist in a single dosage form, or the CCR5 antagonist and the antiviral agent or agents may be administered simultaneously or sequentially as separate dosage forms. The antiviral agents contemplated for use in combination with the compounds of the present invention comprise nucleoside and nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, protease inhibitors and other antiviral drugs listed below not falling within these classifications. In particular, the combinations known as HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy) are contemplated for use in combination with the CCR5 antagonists of this invention.

[0069] The term “nucleoside and nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors” (“NRTI” s) as used herein means nucleosides and nucleotides and analogues thereof that inhibit the activity of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, the enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of viral genomic HIV-1 RNA into proviral HIV-1 DNA.

[0070] Typical suitable NRTIs include zidovudine (AZT) available under the RETROVIR tradename from Glaxo-Wellcome Inc., Research Triangle, N.C. 27709; didanosine (ddl) available under the VIDEX tradename from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., Princeton, N.J. 08543; zalcitabine (ddC) available under the HIVID tradename from Roche Pharmaceuticals, Nutley, N.J. 07110; stavudine (d4T) available under the ZERIT trademark from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., Princeton, N.J. 08543; lamivudine (3TC) available under the EPIVIR tradename from Glaxo-Wellcome Research Triangle, N.C. 27709; abacavir (1592U89) disclosed in WO96/30025 and available under the ZIAGEN trademark from Glaxo-Wellcome Research Triangle, N.C. 27709; adefovir dipivoxil [bis(POM)-PMEA] available under the PREVON tradename from Gilead Sciences, Foster City, Calif. 94404; lobucavir (BMS-180194), a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor disclosed in EP-0358154 and EP-0736533 and under development by Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, N.J. 08543; BCH-10652, a reverse transcriptase inhibitor (in the form of a racemic mixture of BCH-10618 and BCH-10619) under development by Biochem Pharma, Laval, Quebec H7V, 4A7, Canada; emitricitabine [(−)-FTC] licensed from Emory University under Emory Univ. U.S. Pat. No. 5,814,639 and under development by Triangle Pharmaceuticals, Durham, N.C. 27707; beta-L-FD4 (also called beta-L-D4C and named beta-L-2′, 3′-dideoxy-5-fluoro-cytidene) licensed by Yale University to Vion Pharmaceuticals, New Haven Conn. 06511; DAPD, the purine nucleoside, (−)-beta-D-2,6,-diamino-purine dioxolane disclosed in EP 0656778 and licensed by Emory University and the University of Georgia to Triangle Pharmaceuticals, Durham, N.C. 27707; and lodenosine (FddA), 9-(2,3-dideoxy-2-fluoro-b-D-threo-pentofuranosyl)adenine, a acid stable purine-based reverse transcriptase inhibitor discovered by the NIH and under development by U.S. Bioscience Inc., West Conshohoken, Pa. 19428.

[0071] The term “non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors” (“NNRTI”s) as used herein means non-nucleosides that inhibit the activity of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

[0072] Typical suitable NNRTIs include nevirapine (BI-RG-587) available under the VIRAMUNE tradename from Boehringer Ingelheim, the manufacturer for Roxane Laboratories, Columbus, Ohio 43216; delaviradine (BHAP, U-90152) available under the RESCRIPTOR tradename from Pharmacia & Upjohn Co., Bridgewater N.J. 08807; efavirenz (DMP-266) a benzoxazin-2-one disclosed in WO94/03440 and available under the SUSTIVA tradename from DuPont Pharmaceutical Co., Wilmington, Del. 19880-0723; PNU-142721, a furopyridine-thio-pyrimide under development by Pharmacia and Upjohn, Bridgewater N.J. 08807; AG-1549 (formerly Shionogi # S-1153); 5-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-thio-4-isopropyl-1-(4-pyridyl)methyl-1H-imidazol-2-ylmethyl carbonate disclosed in WO 96 /10019 and under clinical development by Agouron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., LaJolla Calif. 92037-1020; MKC-442 (1-(ethoxy-methyl)-5-(1-methylethyl)-6-(phenylmethyl)-(2,4(1H,3H)-pyrimidinedione) discovered by Mitsubishi Chemical Co. and under development by Triangle Pharmaceuticals, Durham, N.C. 27707; and (+)-calanolide A (NSC-675451) and B, coumarin derivatives disclosed in NIH U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,697, licensed to Med Chem Research, which is co-developing (+) calanolide A with Vita-Invest as an orally administrable product.

[0073] The term “protease inhibitor” (“PI”) as used herein means inhibitors of the HIV-1 protease, an enzyme required for the proteolytic cleavage of viral polyprotein precursors (e.g., viral GAG and GAG Pol polyproteins), into the individual functional proteins found in infectious HIV-1. HIV protease inhibitors include compounds having a peptidomimetic structure, high molecular weight (7600 daltons) and substantial peptide character, e.g. CRIXIVAN(available from Merck) as well as nonpeptide protease inhibitors e.g., VIRACEPT (available from Agouron).

[0074] Typical suitable PIs include saquinavir (Ro 31-8959) available in hard gel capsules under the INVIRASE tradename and as soft gel capsules under the FORTOUASE tradename from Roche Pharmaceuticals, Nutley, N.J. 07110-1199; ritonavir (ABT-538) available under the NORVIR tradename from Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Ill. 60064; indinavir (MK-639) available under the CRIXIVAN tradename from Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pa. 19486-0004; nelfnavir (AG-1343) available under the VIRACEPT tradename from Agouron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., LaJolla Calif. 92037-1020; amprenavir (141W94), tradename AGENERASE, a non-peptide protease inhibitor under development by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, Mass. 02139-4211 and available from Glaxo-Wellcome, Research Triangle, N.C. under an expanded access program; lasinavir (BMS-234475) available from Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, N.J. 08543 (originally discovered by Novartis, Basel, Switzerland (CGP-61755); DMP-450, a cyclic urea discovered by Dupont and under development by Triangle Pharmaceuticals; BMS-2322623, an azapeptide under development by Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, N.J. 08543, as a 2nd-generation HIV-1 PI; ABT-378 under development by Abbott, Abbott Park, IL 60064; and AG-1549 an orally active imidazole carbamate discovered by Shionogi (Shionogi #S-1153) and under development by Agouron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., LaJolla Calif. 92037-1020.

[0075] Other antiviral agents include hydroxyurea, ribavirin, IL-2, IL-12, pentafuside and Yissum Project No. 11607. Hydroxyurea (Droxia), a ribonucleoside triphosphate reductase inhibitor, the enzyme involved in the activation of T-cells, was discovered at the NCI is under development by Bristol-Myers Squibb; in preclinical studies, it was shown to have a synergistic effect on the activity of didanosine and has been studied with stavudine. IL-2 is disclosed in Ajinomoto EP-0142268, Takeda EP-0176299, and Chiron U.S. Pat. Nos. RE 33653, 4,530,787, 4,569,790, 4,604,377, 4,748,234, 4,752,585, and 4,949,314 is available under the PROLEUKIN (aldesleukin) tradename from Chiron Corp., Emeryville, Calif. 94608-2997 as a lyophilized powder for IV infusion or sc administration upon reconstitution and dilution with water; a dose of about 1 to about 20 million IU/day, sc is preferred; a dose of about 15 million IU/day, sc is more preferred. IL-12 is disclosed in WO96/25171 and is available from Roche Pharmaceuticals, Nutley, N.J. 07110-1199 and American Home Products, Madison, N.J. 07940; a dose of about 0.5 microgram/kg/day to about 10 microgram/kg/day, sc is preferred. Pentafuside (DP-178, T-20) a 36-amino acid synthetic peptide,disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,464,933 licensed from Duke University to Trimeris which is developing pentafuside in collaboration with Duke University; pentafuside acts by inhibiting fusion of HIV-1 to target membranes. Pentafuside (3-100 mg/day) is given as a continuous sc infusion or injection together with efavirenz and 2 PI's to HIV-1 positive patients refractory to a triple combination therapy; use of 100 mg/day is preferred. Yissum Project No. 11607, a synthetic protein based on the HIV-1 Vif protein, is under preclinical development by Yissum Research Development Co., Jerusalem 91042, Israel. Ribavirin, 1-β-D-ribofuranosyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide, is available from ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Costa Mesa, Calif.; its manufacture and formulation are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,211,771.

[0076] The term “anti-HIV-1 therapy” as used herein means any anti-HIV-1 drug found useful for treating HIV-1 infections in man alone, or as part of multidrug combination therapies, especially the HAART triple and quadruple combination therapies. Typical suitable known anti-HIV-1 therapies include, but are not limited to multidrug combination therapies such as (i) at least three anti-HIV-1 drugs selected from two NRTIs, one PI, a second PI, and one NNRTI; and (ii) at least two anti-HIV-1 drugs selected from, NNRTIs and Pis. Typical suitable HAART—multidrug combination therapies include:

[0077] (a) triple combination therapies such as two NRTIs and one PI; or (b) two NRTIs and one NNRTI ; and (c) quadruple combination therapies such as two NRTIs, one PI and a second PI or one NNRTI. In treatment of naive patients, it is preferred to start anti-HIV-1 treatment with the triple combination therapy; the use of two NRTIs and one PI is preferred unless there is intolerance to Pis. Drug compliance is essential. The CD4⁺ and HIV-1-RNA plasma levels should be monitored every 3-6 months. Should viral load plateau, a fourth drug,e.g., one PI or one NNRTI could be added. See the table below wherein typical therapies are further described: ANTI-HIV-1 MULTI DRUG COMBINATION THERAPIES A. Triple Combination Therapies 1. Two NRTIs¹ + one PI² 2. Two NRTIs¹ + one NNRTI³ B. Quadruple Combination Therapies⁴ Two NRTIs + one PI + a second PI or one NNRTI C. ALTERNATIVES:⁵ Two NRTI¹ One NRTI⁵ + one PI² Two PIs⁶ ± one NRTI⁷ or NNRTI³ One PI² + one NRTI⁷ + one NNRTI³

[0078] Agents known in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, transplant and graft v. host disease, inflammatory bowel disease and multiple sclerosis which can be administered in combination with the CCR5 antagonists of the present invention are as follows:

[0079] solid organ transplant rejection and graft v. host disease: immune suppressants such as cyclosporine and Interleukin-10 (IL-10), tacrolimus, antilymphocyte globulin, OKT-3 antibody, and steroids;

[0080] inflammatory bowel disease: IL-10 (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,854), steroids and azulfidine;

[0081] rheumatoid arthritis: methotrexate, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, steroids and mycophenolate mofetil;

[0082] multiple sclerosis: interferon-beta, interferon-alpha, and steroids.

[0083] Certain compounds of the invention may exist in different isomeric forms (e.g., enantiomers, diastereoisomers, atropisomers and rotamers). The invention contemplates all such isomers both in pure form and in admixture, including racemic mixtures.

[0084] Certain compounds will be acidic in nature, e.g. those compounds which possess a carboxyl or phenolic hydroxyl group. These compounds may form pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Examples of such salts may include sodium, potassium, calcium, aluminum, gold and silver salts. Also contemplated are salts formed with pharmaceutically acceptable amines such as ammonia, alkyl amines, hydroxyalkylamines, N-methylglucamine and the like.

[0085] Certain basic compounds also form pharmaceutically acceptable salts, e.g., acid addition salts. For example, the pyrido-nitrogen atoms may form salts with strong acid, while compounds having basic substituents such as amino groups also form salts with weaker acids. Examples of suitable acids for salt formation are hydrochloric, sulfuric, phosphoric, acetic, citric, oxalic, malonic, salicylic, malic, fumaric, succinic, ascorbic, maleic, methanesulfonic and other mineral and carboxylic acids well known to those in the art. The salts are prepared by contacting the free base form with a sufficient amount of the desired acid to produce a salt in the conventional manner. The free base forms may be regenerated by treating the salt with a suitable dilute aqueous base solution such as dilute aqueous NaOH, potassium carbonate, ammonia and sodium bicarbonate. The free base forms differ from their respective salt forms somewhat in certain physical properties, such as solubility in polar solvents, but the acid and base salts are otherwise equivalent to their respective free base forms for purposes of the invention.

[0086] All such acid and base salts are intended to be pharmaceutically acceptable salts within the scope of the invention and all acid and base salts are considered equivalent to the free forms of the corresponding compounds for purposes of the invention.

[0087] Compounds of the invention can be made by the procedures known in the art, for example by the procedures described in the following reaction schemes, by the methods described in the examples below, and by using the methods described in WO96/26196 and WO98/05292.

[0088] The following solvents and reagents may be referred to herein by the abbreviations indicated: tetrahydrofuran (THF); ethanol (EtOH); methanol (MeOH); acetic acid (HOAc or AcOH); ethyl acetate (EtOAc); N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF); trifluoroacetic acid (TFA); 1-hydroxy-benzotriazole (HOBT); m-chloroperbenzoic acid (MCPBA); triethylamine (Et₃N); diethyl ether (Et₂O); dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO); and 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethyl carbodiimide hydrochloride (DEC). RT is room temperature, and TLC is thin-layer chromatography. Me is methyl, Et is ethyl, Pr is propyl, Bu is butyl, Ph is phenyl, and Ac is acetyl.

[0089] In Scheme 1, a benzylamine (1), wherein R and R³ are as defined above and R¹ is hydrogen, is converted via (2) and (3) to the diketopiperazine (4), wherein R⁴ is as defined above, which is reduced to the piperazine (5). Depending upon the desired R⁶ substituent, this is processed in two ways. Reductive amination gives (6), which can be deprotected to (7) and finally acylated to the compounds of formula IA wherein R⁵ and R⁶ are H; alternatively, a modified Strecker reaction on (5) gives the aminonitrile (8), which, after treatment with methyl Grignard to give (9), deprotection to (10) and final N-acylation affords the compounds of formula IB wherein R⁵ is H and R is methyl. Acylation of (7) and (10) is carried out under standard conditions, e.g., with a compound R²COOH and reagents such as DEC and HOBT. Use of a chiral compound of formula 1, e.g., (S)-methyl 4-substituted benzylamine, and a chiral lactate in step a, e.g., methyl (R)-lactate triflate, will result in chiral compounds of formulas IA and IB.

[0090] In Scheme 2, the compounds are prepared by an alkylation process on a pre-formed piperazine derivative. For example, preferred compounds with the S,S stereochemistry may be obtained in this way by chiral reduction of a ketone (11) to the alcohol (12), activation as the mesylate, and displacement with inversion by treatment with a suitable piperazine, which may either be mono-protected, in which case final elaboration requires deprotection followed by the steps described in (e)-(g) in Scheme 1 to obtain IC, or may be elaborated prior to the displacement step, in which case the final steps are (f) and (g) (deprotection and acylation) as in Scheme 1 to obtain ID.

[0091] For compounds where R³ and R¹ are each H, either the alkylation route of Scheme 2 or a reductive amination method as typified in Scheme 3 can be used.

[0092] For diaryl compounds, wherein R and R³ are each aryl, an alkylation method as typified in Scheme 4 is preferrred.

[0093] Piperazines of formula 14, especially those wherein R³ is C₂-C₆ alkyl or benzyl, may also be obtained by a process wherein the

[0094] portion is introduced as shown above by an alkylation-decyanation sequence. The reaction is exemplified for compounds wherein R is CF₃O-phenyl, R¹ is hydrogen, R³ is ethyl and R⁴ is methyl, but using appropriate starting materials, other compounds of formula 14 can be similarly prepared.

[0095] As shown in Scheme 6, compounds bearing an additional alkyl group at R⁵ on the piperazine ring may be prepared from the diketopiperazine intermediates (4) of Scheme 1. (4) is activated by conversion to the N(t-butoxycarbonyl) compound (17); addition of a Grignard reagent and sequential reduction, deprotection and lactam reduction provides (21), which can be used to prepare compounds of formula I in the manner described for intermediate (5) in Scheme 1.

[0096] Many piperazines wherein R is R⁸-phenyl (or their Boc derivatives) shown in Scheme 1 can be obtained from a common intermediate, wherein R⁸ is I. Several examples are shown in the above scheme, wherein R⁸ is converted to Cl, CN, —C(O)NH₂, H, Ph and p-ClC₆H₄CH₂—. Detailed procedures for these conversions are provided in the examples below. The resultant piperazine or BOC-piperazine is then treated as shown in Scheme 1.

[0097] Some compounds of the invention may be obtained by a Mannich method, as shown in the specific example of Scheme 8.

[0098] Compounds useful in this invention are exemplified by the following preparative examples, which should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. Alternative mechanistic pathways and analogous structures within the scope of the invention may be apparent to those skilled in the art.

EXAMPLE 1

[0099]

[0100] Step 1: Stir methyl R-lactate (5.0 g) in CH₂Cl₂ (40 ml) at −70° C. and add trfluoromethanesulfonic anhydride (7.6 ml), then 2,6-lutidine (7.8 ml). Remove the cooling, stir 0.5 h, wash with 2N HCl and add the organic solution to (S)-methyl 4-bromobenzylamine (9.0 g) and K₂CO₃ (11.2 g) in water (60 ml). Stir 20 h at RT, dry the organic phase over K₂CO₃, evaporate and chromatograph on silica gel with Et₂O—CH₂Cl₂ to give the desired product (7.50 g) as a thick oil.

[0101] Step 2: Reflux the product of step 1 (7.5 g) in 1,2-dichloroethane (40 ml) and ClCH₂COCl (5.0 ml) for 5 h, then evaporate and use the resultant residue directly in the next step.

[0102] Step 3: Stir the product of step 2 in DMSO (80 ml), water (10 ml) and Nal (8 g), cool in ice, add conc. NH₄OH solution (15 ml) and stir to RT for 20 h. Add water (200 ml) dropwise, collect the solid, wash well with water and dry at 70° C./5 mm to give the diketopiperazine, suitable for the next step.

[0103] Step 4: Stir a mixture of the product of step 3 (6.8 g), 1,2-dimethoxyethane (60 ml) and NaBH₄ (3.4 g) under N₂, add BF₃.OEt₂ (6.8 ml) dropwise, then heat at 100° C. for 10 h. Cool and add CH₃OH (20 ml) dropwise, followed by conc. HCl (30 ml). Heat at 100° C. for 1 h., cool, basify with excess 2N NaOH and extract with EtOAc. Dry over K₂CO₃ and evaporate to obtain the piperazine (5.85 g), suitable for the next step.

[0104] Step 5: Stir for 20 h. at RT a mixture of the product of step 4 (5.48 g), N-Boc-4-piperidinone (4.32 g), HOAc (1.15 ml), CH₂Cl₂ (80 ml) and sodium triacetoxy-borohydride (NaBH(OAc)₃) (8.3 g). Add excess aqueous Na₂CO₃ solution slowly, stir for 0.5 h, separate and filter the organic phase through a pad of silca gel, washing with 10:1 CH₂Cl₂—Et₂O to elute all of the product. Evaporate and dissolve the residue in Et₂O (100 ml). Stir and add a 4M solution of HCl in 1,4-dioxane (10 ml) dropwise. Collect the solid, wash with Et₂O, and stir with CH₂Cl₂ and excess aqueous NaOH. Dry the organic phase over K₂CO₃ and evaporate to obtain the desired product (5.45 g).

[0105] Step 6: Stir at RT for 2 h a mixture of the product of step 5 (1.5 g) and TFA (4 ml). Evaporate, dissolve in CH₂Cl₂ and wash with excess 1N NaOH solution. Dry over K₂CO₃ and evaporate to obtain the product (1.15 g).

[0106] Compound 1A: Following the standard procedure, react the product of step 6 with 2,6-dimethylbenzoyl chloride in CH₂Cl₂ and aqueous NaOH, and convert the product to the hydrochloride. Mp 185-192° C. (decomposition). HRMS found: 498.2130; MH⁺ Calc: 498.2120.

[0107] Compound 1B: Following the standard procedure, couple the product of step 6 with 2-amino-6-methylbenzoic acid using HOBT and DEC with diisopropylethylamine in DMF, purify the amide by preparative TLC and convert to the hydrochloride. Mp 188-196° C. (decomposition). HRMS found: 499.2069; MH⁺ Calc: 499.2072.

[0108] Compound 1C: Following the above method, couple the product of step 6 with 2-amino-6-chlorobenzoic acid and convert after purification to the hydrochloride. Mp 192-200° C. (decomposition). HRMS found: 519.1530; MH⁺ Calc: 519.1526.

EXAMPLE 2

[0109]

[0110] Step 1: Stir the product of Example 1, step 4 (1.00 g), N-t-butoxycarbonyl-4-piperidinone (0.77 g) and titanium (IV) isopropoxide (Ti(OiPr)₄) (1.00 g) for 20 h at RT in CH₂Cl₂ (15 ml), reflux for 3 h and cool to RT. Add diethylaluminum cyanide (Et₂AlCN) (4.2 ml of 1M toluene solution) and the stir for 5 days at RT under dry N₂. Workup in CH₂Cl₂-aq. NaOH, dry and evaporate the organic phase and chromatograph on silica gel with CH₂Cl₂—CH₃OH (100:1) to obtain the desired product (0.72 g).

[0111] Step 2: React the product of step 1 (0.70 g) in dry THF (15 ml) under N₂ with CH₃MgBr (4 ml of 3M Et₂O solution) at RT for 20 h. Workup in EtOAc-water and filter the organic phase through silica gel, washing with EtOAc. Evaporate to obtain the desired product (0.65 g).

[0112] Step 3: Deprotect the product of step 2 with TFA according to the procedure described in Example 1, step 6.

[0113] Compound 2A: React the product of step 3 with dimethylbenzoyl chloride as described in Example 1 and convert to the HCl salt. Mp 180-187° C. (decomposition). HRMS Found: 512.2272; MH⁺ Calc: 512.2276.

[0114] Compound 2B: React the product of step 3 with 2-amino-6-chlorobenzoic acid as described in Example 1, purify the crude product by preparative TLC and convert to the HCl salt. Mp 195-200° C. (decomposition). HRMS Found: 535.1662; MH⁺ Calc: 535.1652.

[0115] Compound 2C: React the product of step 3 with 2-hydroxy-6-methylbenzoic acid as described in Example 1, purify the crude product by preparative TLC and convert to the HCl salt. Mp 206-210° C. (decomposition). HRMS Found: 514.2067; MH⁺ Calc: 514.2069.

[0116] Compound 2D: React the product of step 3 with 2-amino-6-methylbenzoic acid using a procedure similar to that described in Example 1, purify the crude product by preparative TLC and convert to the HCl salt. Mp 202-209° C. (decomposition). HRMS Found: 513.2227; MH⁺ Calc: 513.2229.

EXAMPLE 3

[0117]

[0118] Step 1: Reflux and stir a mixture of S-alanine methyl ester hydrochloride (14 g), anhydrous Na₂CO₃ (60 g), dry CH₃CN (125 ml), chlorodiphenylmethane (22.3 g) and Nal (5 g) for 6 hr. Cool, add ice-H₂O and extract with Et₂O (350 ml, then 50 ml). Combine the Et₂O extracts and wash with portions of 1N aq. HCl: 200 ml, 100 ml, then 4×10 ml. Combine the aqueous acid extracts, stir and add excess Na₂CO₃ in small poprtions until the mixture is basic. Extract with Et₂O, dry over MgSO₄ and evaporate to obtain the N-diphenylmethyl compound (23.2 g).

[0119] Step 2: Reflux all of the above compound with ClCH₂COCl (10 ml) in dichloroethane (60 ml) for 4 h. Evaporate, and co-evaporate with toluene (20 ml). Dissolve the residue in CH₂Cl₂ (200 ml), stir for 0.5 h with activated carbon (10 g), filter and evaporate. Stir the residue with ice cooling in DMSO (200 ml) and gradually add concentrated aqueous NH₃ (100 ml), then Nal (10 g). Stir at RT for 20 hr. Add iced water (500 ml), collect the solid, wash well with water, then with several small portions of a 10:1 hexane-Et₂O mixture, and dry at 50° C. with high vacuum to obtain the solid diketopiperazine (15.5 g). Recrystallise a small sample from CH₂Cl₂-hexanes: mp 186-188° C.; [α]_(D) ²⁰=+272.60°.

[0120] Step 3: Stir the product of step 2 (4.0 g) in dimethoxyethane (40 ml) and NaBH₄ (1.6 g) under N₂ and add BF₃.OEt₂ (3.2 ml) slowly. Reflux for 20 h. Cool and add CH₃OH (10 ml) dropwise, then conc. HCl (15 ml). Reflux for 2 h., and work up in excess 2N aq. NaOH and extract with CH₂Cl₂. Dry over K₂CO₃ and evaporate. Chromatograph on silica, eluting with CH₂Cl₂—CH₃OH mixtures, and finally with 5:1:0.1 v/v/v CH₂Cl₂:CH₃OH:NH₄OH. Combine and evaporate the product fractions to obtain the desired product (1.95 g) as a pale yellow gum.

[0121] Step 4: Stir a mixture of the product of step 3 (0.50 g), N-allyloxycarbonyl-4-piperidone (0.40 g), CH₂Cl₂ (5 ml) and NaBH(OAc)₃ (0.70 g) at RT for 20 h. Work up in CH₂Cl₂ and excess aq. NaOH, dry over MgSO₄, evaporate and isolate the product by preparative TLC, eluting with 10% Et₂O in CH₂Cl₂, to obtain the desired compound (0.80 g) as an oil, contaminated with a small amount of starting ketone, but suitable for the next step.

[0122] Step 5: Stir a mixture of the product of step 4 (0.80 g), CH₃CN (20 ml), water (5 ml) and piperidine (1.5 ml). Add tri(4-sulfophenyl)phosphine (0.072 g) and palladium (II) acetate (0.02 g) and stir at RT under N₂ for 2 h. Work up with aqueous NaOH, extract with 5:1 v/v toluene:CH₂Cl₂, dry over K₂CO₃ and evaporate to obtain a yellow oil, suitable for acylation.

[0123] Compound 3A: Stir and reflux a mixture of the product of step 5 (0.10 g), N-(2,6-dimethoxybenzoyl)-4-piperidinone (0.10 g), CH₂Cl₂ (2 ml) and NaBH(OAc)₃ (0.15 g) for 2.5 h., cool, and work up with CH₂Cl₂ and aqueous NaOH. Dry over MgSO₄, evaporate and isolate the major product by preparative TLC, eluting with 3:1 v/v Et₂O:CH₂Cl₂. Precipitate the hydrochoride to obtain the desired compound as the HCl salt (0.13 g). Mp 173-177° C. (decomposition). HRMS Found: 482.3175; MH⁺ Calc: 482.3171.

[0124] Compound 3B: Couple the product of step 5 with 2-amino-6-chlorobenzoic acid using DEC-HOBT as described in Example 1, isolate the product by PTLC and precipitate the hydrochloride to give compound 3B. Mp 188-195° C. (decomposition). HRMS Found: 503.2567; MH⁺ Calc: 503.2578.

[0125] Compound 3C: Couple the product of step 5 with 2,4-dimethylnicotinic acid using DEC-HOBt as described above, isolate the product by PTLC and precipitate the hydrochloride to give compound 3C. Mp 180-188° C. (decomposition). HRMS Found: 483.3114; MH⁺ Calc: 483.3124.

[0126] Using procedures similar to those described above, the following compounds were prepared:

EXAMPLE 4

[0127]

[0128] Step 1: A solution of 4-trifluoromethyl acetophenone (1.88 g; 10 mmol) in dry THF (10 ml) was cooled in an ice bath and treated with freshly prepared solid (S)-2-methyl oxaborolidine (0.54 g; 2 mmol). After 10 min., a solution of 2M borane-methyl sulfide complex (3 ml; 6 mmol) in THF was added dropwise over 5 min. TLC at the end of 30 min. showed that the starting material had been converted to a more polar product. The reaction was quenched with about 5 ml of CH₃OH carefully until effervescence stopped; volatiles were removed in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ and washed with 1N HCl, water, 10% NaHCO₃ solution and brine. Concentration in vacuo gave 2 g of a yellow gum. Flash silica gel chromatography (FSGC) using 10-20% EtOAc in hexanes furnished the desired chiral alcohol (1.6 g; 84%) as a colorless oil. TLC R_(f)=0.6 in 25% EtOAc:hexanes.

[0129] Step 2: To a solution of the product of step 1(1.55 g; 8.16 mmol) in 10 ml of CH₂Cl₂ cooled in an ice bath were added Et₃N (2.3 ml; 16.32 mmol) and CH₃SO₂Cl (0.87 ml; 10.6 mmol) to form a turbid white solution. The reaction was quenched with water and the organic product was extracted with CH₂Cl₂, washing with water, 1N HCl, 10% NaHCO₃ solution and brine. Concentration in vacuo gave the chiral mesylate (2.1 g; 96%) as a pale yellow oil. TLC R_(f)=0.6 in 25% EtOAc:hexanes.

[0130] Step 3: A solution of the product of step 2 (2.1 g; 7.8 mmol), the N-BOC protected 2(S)-methyl piperazine (1.56 g; 7.8 mmol—prepared from the reaction of commercial 2(S)-methyl piperazine with N-(tert-butoxy-carbonyloxy)phthalimide) and 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidine (1.34 ml; 8 mmol) in 14 ml of dry CN₃CN were heated at reflux until TLC indicated complete disappearance of the mesylate (16 h). The reaction mixture was cooled to RT, diluted with CH₂Cl₂ (50 ml) and washed with water (3×100 ml) and brine. The organic extract was dried over solid MgSO₄ and then concentrated to obtain 2.8 g of a yellow gum. FSGC (20% EtOAc in hexanes) served to isolate the desired (S,S)-diastereomer (1.5 g; 52%) and its benzylic epimer, the (R,S)-diastereomer (0.5 g; 17%) for a combined 69% yield. TLC R_(f)=0.75 (S,S) and 0.56 (R,S) in 25% EtOAc:hexanes.

[0131] Step 4: TFA (6 ml) was added to a solution of the product of step 3 in 12 ml of CH₂Cl₂ and the resulting yellow-orange solution was stirred at RT for 8 h. The reaction was quenched by adding 1N NaOH solution to adjust the pH to 10. Extractive work up in CH₂Cl₂ gave 1.1 g of a yellow syrup. FSGC using 10% CH₃OH in CH₂Cl₂ removed the less polar impurity and gradient elution with 1% Et₃N in 10% CH₃OH:CH₂Cl₂ was needed to elute the desired free amine of the (S,S) diastereomer. Yield=0.9 g (75%). TLC R_(f)=0.5 in 10% CH₃OH:CH₂Cl₂.

[0132] Step 5: A colorless solution of the product of step 4 (0.9 g; 3.3 mmol), 4-piperidinone (0.86 g; 4.3 mmol), NaB(OAc)₃H (1.05 g; 4.95 mmol) and glacial AcOH (80 μl) in 8 ml of CH₂Cl₂ was stirred at ambient temperature for a day. TLC indicated absence of starting material. The reaction mixture was diluted with 50 ml of CH₂Cl₂, washed with 1N NaOH solution, water (2×) and brine. The CH₂Cl₂ extract was dried over anhydrous MgSO₄ and concentrated to obtain 1.7 g of yellow oil. FSGC (25% acetone in hexanes) was used to isolate the pure product (1.3 g; 86%) as a white foam. TLC R_(f)=0.6 in 25% acetone/hexanes.

[0133] Step 6: TFA (5 ml) was added to a solution of the product of step 5 (1.3 g; 2.87 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (10 ml) and the resulting yellow orange solution was stirrred at RT for 7 h. The reaction was quenched with 1N NaOH solution and the pH was adjusted to 10. The organic product was extracted into 50 ml of CH₂Cl₂ and washed with water, then brine and dried over MgSO₄. Concentration gave the free amine (0.98 g; 98%) as a yellow syrup. TLC R_(f)=0.1 in 25% acetone/hexanes.

[0134] Step 7: The product of step 6 (0.78 g; 2.21 mmol), DEC (0.65 g; 3.4 mmol), HOBT (0.46 g; 3.4 mmol) and 2-amino-6-chloro benzoic acid (0.51 g; 2.9 mmol) were dissolved in 8 ml of CH₂Cl₂ to which was added diisopropylethyl amine (0.7 ml) and the mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 16 h. TLC analysis showed absence of starting material and formation of two over-lapping spots of medium polarity (rotomers of the hindered amide) as the major product. The crude product (1.3 g) was isolated by extractive work up and purified through FSGC using 25% acetone in CH₂Cl₂ as eluant to give the title compound (0.88 g; 80%) as a pale yellow foam. TLC R_(f)=0.45 and 0.5 in 25% acetone:CH₂Cl₂.

[0135] A solution of hydrogen chloride in Et₂O (1M; 3 ml) was added to a solution of the title compound free base (0.76 g; 1.54 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (5 ml) to obtain an instantaneous white precipitate. After stirring at RT for 2 h, the volatiles were removed on a rotary evaporator and the white residue was suspended in dry toluene (3×10 ml) and azeotroped. The white solid thus obtained was suspended in dry Et₂O containing 10% EtOAc, stirred for 30 min, filtered and washed with Et₂O (100 ml). The HCl salt of the title compound was dried under high vacuum to yield an off-white solid (0.88 g; 95%). Mp: 205-210° C.

[0136] The product of step 6 was converted to other amides (4A-4E) as described in step 7 using the appropriate carboxylic acids. Physical data for compounds 4-4E having the following structures is as follows:

[0137] wherein R⁸ and R² are as defined in the table: Ex. R⁸ R² Mp (° C.) HRMS (MH⁺) 4 CF₃

205-210 509.2295 4A CF₃

192-195 489.2841 4B CF₃

203-206 490.2681 4C CF₃

186-190 488.2902 4D CF₃

207-210 489.2851 4E CF₃

152 505 4F CF₃

— 490.2796

EXAMPLE 5

[0138]

[0139] A solution of the racemic benzyl chloride 24 (1.26 g, 5.62 mmol) which was prepared freshly from the corresponding carbinol, the 2(S)-methyl piperazine (1.12 g, 5.62 mmol) and 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidine (TMP) (1.9 ml, 11.2 mmol) were dissolved in dry DMF (2 ml) and heated to 100-110° C. (internal temp.) for 10 h. TLC analysis showed absence of 24 and formation of two well-separated products. The mixture was diluted with water and the organics were extracted into Et₂O. The organic extract was washed with saturated NH₄Cl and brine and concentrated in vacuo to obtain 2 g of crude product. Flash chromatography on silica gel and elution first with 25% Et₂O-hexane followed by 25% EtOAc-hexane gave ˜0.5 grams of 25a and ˜0.5 grams of 25b respectively (˜45% combined yield). TLC R_(f)=0.6 (for 25a) and 0.4 (for 25b) in 25% EtOAc-hexanes. Purified 25a was treated as described previously to obtain the final products 5 to 5F having the formula.

[0140] wherein R² is as defined in the table: Ex. R² mp (° C.) HRMS 5

208-212 519.2958 5A

198-203 535.2913 5B

233 (sharp) 539.2390 5C

190 575.1800 5D

253 558.1887 5E

202 519.2964 5F

190 535.2901 5G

198-203 — 5H

205-210 —

EXAMPLE 6

[0141]

[0142] Step 1:

[0143] A mixture of the aldehyde 26 (3.9 g, 20.5 mmol), the 2(S)-methyl-N-BOC-piperazine (4.1 g, 20.5 mmol) and Ti(OiPr)₄ (6.1 mL; 20.5 mmol) in 40 ml of CH₂Cl₂ was stirred at RT for 24 h. Et₂AlCN was introduced and stirred for an additonal day. The reaction mixture was processed as described before to obtain 4.71 grams (58%) of the cyano amine 27 after FSGC (TLC R_(f)=0.45/0.5 for diastereomers seen with 25% Et₂O-hexanes as solvent).

[0144] Step 2: Sodium hexamethyidisilazide (1M; 3.1 ml) was added to a solution of 27 (1 g; 2.5 mmol) in dry THF cooled in a dry ice/acetone bath. The resulting bright yellow solution was treated with CH₃CH₂I (7.5 mmol; 0.6 ml). The dry ice bath was removed and the reaction was stirred at ambient temperature for 15 min. followed by gentle warming in a warm water bath (40° C.) for 30 min. TLC indicated two well-separated spots. Standard extractive work up and purification by FSGC gave two alkylated compounds (combined yield: 0.7 g; 70%). TLC R_(f)=0.6 and 0.4 (25% EtOAc/hexanes).

[0145] Step 3: The product of step 2 was stirred with NaBH(OAc)₃ (2×) and MgBr₂:OEt₂ (1×) in CH₃CN for a day. The reaction mixture was quenched with water, the organics were extracted into EtOAc and processed to obtain 0.8 grams of crude product. FSGC (25% EtOAc-hexanes) gave ˜0.4 grams of each diastereomer (combined yield 100%). TLC R_(f)=0.55 (28a) and 0.45 (28b) in 25% EtOAc-hexanes.

[0146] Step 4: Compound 28a (S,S-diastereomer) was processed through the usual 5 step sequence to complete the synthesis of compounds of Example 6, 6A and 6B with an ipso-methyl group as well as compounds 6C and 6D which lack the ipso-methyl group:

Ex. R⁶ R² mp (° C.) MS (MH⁺) 6 CH₃

204 549.5 6A CH₃

253 589.4 6B CH₃

260 534.4 6C H

225 520.4 6D H

215 575.4

EXAMPLE 7

[0147] The synthesis of compounds with an alkyl or arylsulfonyl R⁸ group at the para position started with the corresponding para-substituted acetophenone which was treated as in Example 4, steps 1-6 to obtain the sulfone containing compounds of Example 7 havng the formula:

[0148] wherein R⁸ and R² are as defined in the table: Ex. R⁸ R² Mp (° C.) HRMS (MH⁺) 7 H₃CSO₂—

220-225 498.2790 7A H₃CSO₂—

212-215 519.2197 7B

190 (dec.) 604.2861 7C

178 (dec.) 625.2246 7D

170 (dec.) 605.2799 7E

170 (dec.) 609.2540 7F

200 (dec.) 612.2336 7G

158 (dec.) 644.1735 7H H₃CSO₂—

197 (dec.) 514.2847

EXAMPLE 8

[0149]

[0150] Step 1: A solution of the product of Example 4, step 4 (1.25 g; 4.6 mmol), N-BOC-4-piperidinone (0.91 g; 4.6 mmol) and (Ti(OiPr)₄) (1.4 ml; 4.6 mmol) in 10 ml of CH₂Cl₂ was stirred at ambient temperature for 24 h. The reaction mixture was then treated with Et₂AlCN (5.5 ml; 1M solution in toluene) and stirring continued for 20 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with EtOAc and stirred with saturated NaHCO₃ solution (10 min.) and the layers were separated as much as possible. The turbid (from inseparable aqueous layer) organic layer was treated with excess celite and filtered, washing the filtercake with EtOAc. The filtrate layers were separated and the organic layer was washed with water and brine, dried over anhydrous MgSO₄ and concentrated to obtain 2.16 g (98%) of an amber gum.

[0151] Step 2: The Strecker amine from step 1 (2.16 g) was dissolved in dry THF, cooled in an ice bath and treated with CH₃MgBr (7.5 ml of a 3M solution in Et₂O). After 1 h, the ice bath was removed and the yellow, heterogeneous reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 18 h. The reaction was quenched with saturated NH₄Cl solution, diluted with water and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. Concentration gave 2.2 g of a yellow gum which was purified by FSGC, eluting the major product away from more polar impurities using a 1:1 mixture of CH₂Cl₂:EtOAc. The ipso-methyl compound was isolated as a yellow gum (1.85 g; 88%). TLC R_(f)=0.5 in 1:1 Et₂O:hexanes.

[0152] Step 3: TFA (6 ml) was added to a solution of the product of step 2 (1.5 g; 3.2 mmol) in 10 ml of CH₂Cl₂ and stirred at 25° C. for 2 h. The reaction was quenched with 1N NaOH solution to a pH of 9-10 and processed by extraction into CH₂Cl₂ to obtain 1.2 g of crude product. FSGC using 1:1 CH₂Cl₂:EtOAc removed all the less polar impurities and gradient elution with 10% CH₃OH in CH₂Cl₂ and finally with 10% (ca. 7N-NH₃) CH₃OH in CH₂Cl₂ led to the isolation of the free piperidine as a yellow gum (1.07 g; 90%). TLC R_(f)=0.2 in 10% CH₃OH:CH₂Cl₂.

[0153] Step 4: A solution of the product of step 3 (1.03 g; 2.8 mmol), 2,4-dimethyl nicotinic acid (0.42 g; 2.8 mmol), DEC (0.8 g; 4.2 mmol), HOBT (0.57 g; 4.2 mmol) and diisopropyl ethyl amine (1 ml; 5.6 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (15 ml) was stirred at 25° C. for 24 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with CH₂Cl₂ (25 ml), washed with water, 10% NaHCO₃ solution and brine, then concentrated to obtain 1.6 g of crude oil. FSGC of this material using gradient elution with 10% acetone-CH₂Cl₂ followed by 2-5% CH₃OH in CH₂Cl₂ gave the title compound (1.1 g; 80%) as a white foam. TLC R_(f)=0.45 in 5% CH₃OH—CH₂Cl₂.

[0154] The free base of the title compound (1 g; 2 mmol) isolated above was dissolved in a 1:1 mixture of EtOAc:Et₂O (8 ml) and a fresh solution of hydrogen chloride in Et₂O (6.1 ml of a 1M solution) was added, instantly forming a white precipitate. After stirring at 25° C. for 1 h, the volatiles were removed in vacuo. The product was suspended in Et₂O and filtered, washing the filtrate with Et₂O. The HCl salt of the title compound thus obtained was dried in vacuo (1.1 g; mp. 213-215° C.). HRMS (MH⁺) 503.2997.

[0155] The following amides 8A-8E were prepared in a similar manner from the product of step 3 using appropriate acids, and compounds 8F-8H, wherein the R⁸-substituent is a pmethyl sulfonyl group were similarly prepared.

[0156] wherein R⁸ and R² are as defined in the table: Ex. R⁸ R² Mp (° C.) HRMS (MH⁺) 8A CF₃  216 503.3021 8B CF₃ 222-224 504.2850 8C CF₃ 262-263 502.3039 8D CF₃ 216-218 523.2466 8E CF₃ 210-212 519.2970 8F —SO₂CH₃ 201-205 512.2955 8G —SO₂CH₃ 217-221 533.2355 8H —SO₂CH₃ 216-219 514.2736 8I —CF₃ 195-198 — 8J —CF₃ 250-255 528.1791 8K —CF₃ 223-226 576.1562 8L —CF₃ >245 528.2439 8M —CF₃ 176-181 570.1739 8N —CF₃ 218-223 708.0040 8O —CF₃ 215-220 522.2507 8P —CF₃ 208-212 566.1987 8Q —CF₃ 190-194 586.1442 8R —CF₃ 255-257 526.2243

[0157] Using procedures described following the table, compounds 8S-8EE of the structure

[0158] were prepared, wherein R¹¹ is defined in the table: Ex. R¹¹ Mp (° C.) HRMS (MH⁺) 8S —OH 210-220 518.2997 (2xHCl salt) 8T —OC(O)NHCH₂CH₃ 205-210 589.3374 (2xHCl salt) 8U -OSO₂CH₃ 165-171 596.2757 (2xHCl salt) 8V

199-204 (2xHCl salt) 595.3254 8W —CHO  88-92 530.2985 8X —CH═NH—OCH₃ 202-205 559.3260 (2xHCl salt) 8Y —CHF₂ >245 (dec) 552.3020 (2xHCl salt) 8Z —NH—C(O)—NH—CH₂CH₃ 214-219 588.3521 (2xHCl salt) 8AA —NH  92-98 517.3154 8BB —NHSO₂CH₂CH₃ 205-211 609.3078 (2xHCl salt) 8CC —F 212-217 520.2949 (2xHCl salt) 8DD —Cl 235-238 536.2663 (2xHCl salt) 8EE —Br 237—240 580.2141 (2xHCl salt)

[0159] 8S: The tri-hydrochloride salt of the product of Example 8, step 3 (75 mg, 0.16 mmol), EDC (61 mg, 0.32 mmol), HOBT (49 mg, 0.32 mmol), iPr₂NEt (0.16 ml, 0.96 mmol), and 2,6-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-benzoic acid (53 mg, 0.32 mmol) were taken up in CH₂Cl₂ and stirred at 25° C. for 20 h. The solution was concentrated. Purification via preparative TLC (EtOAc, SiO₂) gave the title compound as a yellow oil. m.p. (2×HCl salt) 210-220° C. HRMS (MH⁺) calcd. for C₂₉H₃₉O₂N₃F₃, 518.2994; Found, 518.2997.

[0160] 8T: 8S (100 mg, 0.19 mmol), ethyl isocyanate (0.05 ml, 0.58 mmol), and Et₃N (0.13 ml, 0.95 mmol) were taken up in CH₂Cl₂ and stirred at 25° C. for 16 h. The solution was diluted with CH₂Cl₂ and washed with 1N NaOH. The organic layer was dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered, and concentrated. Purification via preparative TLC (2/1 EtOAc/hexanes, SiO₂) gave the title compound as a yellow oil.

[0161] 8U: 8S (250 mg, 0.48 mmol), methane sulfonyl anhydride (250 mg, 1.44 mmol), and NaH (38 mg, 60 wt % in oil) were taken up in THF and stirred at 25° C. for 20 h. The solution was diluted with EtOAc and washed with sat'd NaHCO₃. The organic layer was dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered, and concentrated. Purification via preparative TLC (1/1 EtOAc/hexanes, SiO₂) gave the title compound as a yellow oil (280 mg, 98%).

[0162] 8V: The tri-hydrochloride salt of the product of Example 8, step 3 (50 mg, 0.1 mmol), EDC (38 mg, 0.2 mmol), HOBT (27 mg, 0.2 mmol), iPr₂NEt (0.07 ml, 0.4 mmol), and 2,6-dimethyl-4-(4-pyridyl-N-oxide)-benzoic acid (73 mg, 0.3 mmol) (see preparation below) were taken up in CH₂C₂ and stirred at 25° C. for 19 h. The solution was concentrated. Purification via preparative TLC (2/1 acetone/hexanes, SiO₂) gave 8V as a yellow oil (23 mg, 39%).

Preparation of 2,6-dimethyl-4-(4-pyridyl-N-oxide) benzoic acid

[0163]

[0164] Step A: 4-Benzyloxy-2,6-dimethyl benzoic acid (8.7 g, 34 mmol; Thea, S. et al Journal of the American Chemical Society 1985, 50, 1867), Mel (3.2 ml, 51 mmol), and Cs₂CO₃ (17 g, 51 mmol) were allowed to stir in DMF at 25° C. for 17 h. The solution was filtered and partitioned between Et₂O and water. The aqueous layer was extracted with Et₂O. The combined Et₂O layers were washed with H₂O and brine. The organic layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and concentrated. Purification via flash chromatography (10/1 hexanes/Et₂O, SiO₂) gave 8.6 g (94%) of the methyl ester as a colorless oil.

[0165] Step B: The benzyl protected phenol (8.5 g, 32 mmol) and Pd/C (750 mg, 10 wt % Pd) were taken up in CH₃OH. The solution was charged with 50 psi H₂ and shaken in a Parr apparatus at 25° C. for 17 h. The solution was filtered (Celite). Concentration gave 5.6 g (98%) of the phenol as a white solid.

[0166] Step C: The phenol (3.5 g, 19.4 mmol) and iPr₂NEt (3.76 g, 29.1 mmol) were dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ at 0° C. Triflic anhydride (Tf₂O) (4.2 ml, 25.2 mmol) was added dropwise to the solution at 0° C. The solution was warmed to 25° C. and stirred at that temperature for 4.5 h. The solution was diluted with CH₂Cl₂ and washed with sat NaHCO₃. The aqueous layer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic layers were dried over Na₂SO₄. Filtration and concentration gave the crude aryl triflate. Purification via flash chromatography (10/1, hexanes/Et₂O, SIO₂) gave 5.7 g (94%) of the triflate as a yellow oil.

[0167] Step D: The triflate (1 g, 3.2 mmol), 4-pyridyl boronic acid (1.2 g, 9.6 mmol), Pd(PPh₃)₄ (370 mg, 0.32 mmol), and Na₂CO₃ (1 g, 9.6 mmol) were taken up in DME/H₂O (4/1, 25 ml). The solution was heated to 90° C. (oil bath) under N₂ for 18 h. The solution was partitioned between EtOAc and H₂O. The aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc. The combined EtOAc layers were dried (Na₂SO₄). Filtration and concentration gave a dark brown oil. Purification via flash chromatography (3/1 hexanes/EtOAc, SiO₂) gave 770 mg (100%) of the pyridyl derivative as an orange oil.

[0168] Step E: The pyridyl derivative (390 mg, 1.6 mmol) and mCPBA (550 mg, 3.2 mmol) were dissolved in CH₂Cl₂. The solution was stirred at 25° C. for 18 h. The solution was diluted with CH₂Cl₂ and washed with 1 N NaOH. The organic layer was dried (Na₂SO₄). Filtration and concentration gave 400 mg (97%) of the N-oxide as an orange oil. HRMS (MH⁺) calcd. for C₁₅H₁₆O₃N, 258.1130; Found, 258.1131.

[0169] Step F: The methyl ester (400 mg, 1.6 mmol) was taken up in 5 ml of 3 N NaOH and 2 ml of EtOH. The solution was heated at reflux for 20 h. The solution was concentrated. The residue was treated with conc. HCl. The resulting solid was filtered and washed with water and brine. After drying under high vacuum, the free acid (377 mg, 100%) was obtained as a tan solid. m.p. >225° C. (decomp). HRMS (MH⁺) calcd. for C₁₄H₁₄O₃N, 244.0974; Found, 244.0981.

[0170] 8W: The tri-hydrochloride salt of the product of Example 8, step 3 (1.34 g, 2.8 mmol), 2,6-dimethyl-4-formyl benzoic acid (500 mg, 2.8 mmol) (see preparation below), EDC (1.1 g, 5.6 mmol), HOBT (760 mg, 5.6 mmol) and iPrNEt (2 ml, 11 mmol) were subjected to the standard coupling conditions. Purification via flash chromatography (2/1 hexanes/EtOAc, SiO₂) gave 898 mg (61%) of 8W as a yellow foam.

Preparation of 2,6-dimethyl-4-formyl benzoic acid

[0171]

[0172] Step A: 4-Hydroxy-2,6-dimethyl-benzoic acid, tert-butyl ester (6.4 g, 29 mmol) and iPr₂NEt (5.6 g, 43 mmol) were taken up in CH₂Cl₂ and cooled to 0° C. Tf₂O (5.8 ml, 34 mmol) was added slowly to the solution at 0° C. The solution was stirred at 0° C. for 3 h. The solution was partitioned between sat. NaHCO₃ and CH₂Cl₂. The aqueous layer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic layers were dried (Na₂SO₄). Filtration and concentration gave a brown oil. Purification via flash chromatography (20/1 hexanes/Et₂O, SiO₂) gave 7.99 g (82%) of the triflate as a yellow solid.

[0173] Step B: The triflate (5 g, 15 mmol), LiCl (1.25 g, 30 mmol), Pd(PPh₃)₄ (340 mg, 0.3 mmol), and vinyl tributyl tin (4.5 ml, 16 mmol) were taken up in THF under N₂. The solution was heated at 70° C. for 16 h. The solution was partitioned between EtOAc and sat. KF. The mixture was filtered. The organic layer was separated, and the aqueous layers were extracted with EtOAc. The combined organic layers were dried (MgSO₄). Filtration and concentration gave a yellow oil. Purification via flash chromatography (20/1 hexanes/Et₂O, SiO₂) gave 1.96 g (57%) of the olefin as a yellow oil.

[0174] Step C: The olefin (0.6 g, 2.6 mmol) was taken up in CH₂Cl₂/MeOH (1/1). The solution was cooled to −78° C. Ozone was bubbled through the solution until a dark blue color persisted. The reaction was quenched with dimethyl sulfide. The reaction was concentrated to furnish the aldehyde as an oil.

[0175] Step D: The tert-butyl ester (650 mg, 2.8 mmol) and TFA (3 ml) were taken up in CH₂Cl₂ and stirred at 25° C. for 19 h. Concentration of the solution gave the acid as a beige solid.

[0176] 8X: 8W (100 mg, 0.19 mmol), H₂NOMe—HCl (28 mg, 0.34 mmol), NaOAc (32 mg, 0.46 mmol) were taken up in MeOH. The solution was stirred at 25° C. for 17 h. The solution was concentrated. The residue was partitioned between CH₂Cl₂ and 1 N NaOH. The aqueous layer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic layers were dried (Na₂SO₄). Filtration and concentration gave the crude product. Purification via preparative TLC (1/1 hexanes/EtOAc, SiO₂) gave 85 mg (84%) of 8X.

[0177] 8Y: The tri-hydrochloride salt of the product of Example 8, step 3 (75 mg, 0.16 mmol) and 4-difluoromethyl-2,6-dimethyl benzoic acid (32 mg, 0.16 mmol) were subjected to the standard coupling conditions (EDC/HOBT/iPr₂NEt). Purification via preparative TLC (2/1 hexanes/EtOAc, SiO₂) gave 64 mg (73%) of 8Y.

Preparation of 4-difluoromethyl-2,6-dimethyl benzoic acid

[0178]

[0179] Step A: The aldehyde (400 mg, 1.7 mmol), [bis(2-methoxyethyl)amino]-sulfur trifluoride (640 mg, 2.9 mmol), and EtOH (0.02 ml, 0.34 mmol) were taken up 1,2-dichloroethane and stirred at 65° C. for 6 h and at 25° C. for 19 h. The solution was quenched with sat. NaHCO₃. The aqueous layer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic layers were dried (NaSO₂). Filtration and concentration gave the crude product. Purification via preparative TLC (10/1 hexanes/Et₂O, SiO₂) gave 210 mg (50%) of the difluoro derivative.

[0180] Step B: The tert-butyl ester (210 mg, 0.82 mmol) and HCl (2.1 ml of 4 M in dioxane, 8.2 mmol) were taken up in MeOH. The solution was stirred at 45° C. for 20 h. The solution was concentrated to obtain the acid as a white solid.

[0181] 8Z: The tri-hydrochloride salt of the product of Example 8, step 3 (811 mg, 1.7 mmol) and 4-[(ethylamino)carbonylamino]-2,6-dimethyl benzoic acid (400 mg, 1.7 mmol) (see preparation below) were subjected to the standard coupling conditions (EDC/HOBT/iPr₂NEt). Purification via flash chromatography (1/1 hexanes/acetone, SiO₂) gave 803 mg (81%) of 8Z as a foam.

Preparation of 4-[(ethylamino)carbonylamino]-2,6-dimethyl benzoic acid

[0182]

[0183] Step A: 3,5-Dimethyl aniline (18.5 ml, 149 mmol) was taken up in CH₂Cl₂. The solution was cooled in a water bath. Trifluoroacetic anhydride (29.5 ml, 209 mmol) was added slowly to the solution. After the addition, the solution was stirred at 25° C. for 15 minutes. Bromine (7.3 ml, 142 mmol) was added slowly to the solution while maintaining the RT water bath. The solution was stirred at 25° C. for 3.5 h. The solution was quenched with 10% Na₂S₂O₃. The aqueous layer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic layers were dried (MgSO₄), treated with activated carbon and filtered. Concentration gave an orange solid. Purification via recrystallization (hexanes/Et₂O) gave two crops (34 g total, 77%) of the brominated derivative as a white solid.

[0184] Step B: The aryl bromide (17 g, 57 mmol) was taken up in THF and cooled to −78° C. under N₂. Methyllithium/LiBr (54 ml of a 1.5 M solution in Et₂O, 80 mmol) was added slowly to the solution at −78° C. After 5 min of stirring, sec-BuLi (62 ml of a 1.3 M in cyclohexane, 80 mmol) was added slowly to the reaction solution at −78° C. After 5 min, di-t-butyl dicarbonate (22.5 g, 103 mmol) in THF was added to the solution at −78° C. The solution was warmed to 25° C. After 30 min, the reaction mixture was partitioned between water and CH₂Cl₂. The aqueous layer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic layers were dried (MgSO₄). Filtration and concentration gave a yellow solid. Purification via flash chromatography (1/1 to 1/4 hexanes/CH₂Cl₂, SiO₂) gave 13.1 g (72%) of the tert-butyl ester as an off-white solid.

[0185] Step C: The trifluoro-acetamide (10 g, 31 mmol) and NaOH (2.5 g, 62 mmol) were taken up in MeOH/H₂O (3/1) and heated at 60° C. for 3 h. The solution was partitioned between CH₂Cl₂ and water. The aqueous layer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic layers were washed with water and dried (Na₂SO₄). Filtration and concentration gave 6.4 g (93%) of the aniline as an orange solid.

[0186] Step D: The aniline (1 g, 4.5 mmol), ethyl isocyanate (0.4 ml, 5 mmol), and CuCl (90 mg, 0.9 mmol) were taken up in DMF at 0° C. The solution was warmed to 25° C. and stirred at that temperature for 2 h. The solution was partitioned between EtOAc and 10% NH₄OH. The aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc. The combined layers were washed with brine and dried (MgSO₄). Filtration and concentration gave a yellow solid. Purification via flash chromatography (3/1 to 1/1 hexanes/EtOAc, SiO₂) gave 904 mg (69%) of the urea as a yellow solid.

[0187] Step E: The tert-butyl ester (900 mg, 3.1 mmol) and 4 M HCl in dioxane (3 ml) were taken up in iPrOH and heated at 45° C. for 3.5 h and at 25° C. for 16.5 h. The solution was concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was partitioned between Et₂O and 1 N NaOH. The aqueous, basic layer was extracted with Et₂O. The aqueous layer was cooled to 0° C. and acidified with conc. HCl (pH=1-2). The aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc. The combined EtOAc layers were dried (Na₂SO₄). Filtration and concentration gave the 400 mg (55%) of the acid as a white solid.

[0188] 8AA: The tri-hydrochloride salt of the product of Example 8, step 3 (2 g, 4.3 mmol) and 4-amino-2,6-dimethyl benzoic acid (710 mg, 4.3 mmol) (see preparation below) were subjected to the standard coupling conditions (EDC/HOBT/iPr₂NEt). Purification via flash chromatography (2/1 hexanes/acetone, SiO₂) gave 1.16 g (52%) of 8AA as a yellow foam.

Preparation of 4-amino-2,6-dimethyl benzoic acid

[0189]

[0190] The tert-butyl ester (950 mg, 4.3 mmol) and HCl (11 ml, 4 M in dioxane) were taken up in MeOH at heated at 45° C. for 20 h. The solution was concentrated to obtain the acid (710 mg) in quantitative yield.

[0191] 8BB: 8AA (100 mg, 0.19 mmol) and ethane sulfonyl chloride (0.02 ml, 0.21 mmol) were taken up in pyridine and stirred at 25° C. for 19 h. The solution was concentrated. The residue was partitioned between 1 N NaOH and CH₂C₁ ₂. The aqueous layer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic layers were dried (Na₂SO₄). Filtration and concentration gave a brown oil. Purification via preparative TLC (2/1 hexanes/acetone, SiO₂) gave 100 mg (86%) of 8BB as a colorless oil.

[0192] 8CC: The trihydrochloride salt of the product of Example 8, step 3 (127 mg, 0.27 mmol) and 4-fluoro-2,6-dimethyl benzoic acid (58 mg, 0.35 mmol) (see preparation below) were coupled according to the general procedure (EDC/HOBT/iPr₂NEt). Purification via preparative TLC (2/1 hexanes/EtOAc, SiO₂) gave 8CC as a colorless oil (87 mg bis-HCl salt, 54%).

Preparation of 4-fluoro-2,6-dimethyl benzoic acid

[0193]

[0194] 4-Amino-2,6-dimethyl benzoic acid (200 mg, 1.1 mmol) and NOBF₄ (196 mg, 1.7 mmol) were heated in 1,2-dichlorobenzene at 100° C. for 30 min. The solution was cooled and diluted with MeOH and water. A few pellets (2-3) of KOH were added, and the solution was heated at reflux for 16 h. The solution was concentrated. The residue was partitioned between Et₂O and 1 N NaOH. The aqueous layer was extracted with Et₂O. The aqueous layer was cooled to 0° C. and acidified with conc. HCl (pH=1-2). The aqueous layer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The organic layers were dried (Na2SO₄). Filtration and concentration gave 58 mg (31%) of the acid as a tan solid.

[0195] 8DD: The trihydrochloride salt of the product of Example 8, step 3 (150 mg, 0.31 mmol) and 4-chloro-2,6-dimethyl benzoic acid (76 mg, 0.41 mmol) (see preparation below) were coupled according to the general procedure (EDC/HOBT/iPr₂NEt). Purification via preparative TLC (4/1 hexanes/acetone, SiO₂) gave 8DD as a colorless oil.

Preparation of 4-chloro-2,6-dimethyl benzoic acid

[0196]

[0197] 4-Amino-2,6-dimethyl benzoic acid (172 mg, 0.96 mmol) and CuCl₂ (155 mg, 1.15 mmol) were taken up in CH₃CN at 0° C. Tert-butyl nitrite (0.17 ml, 1.4 mmol) was added to the solution at 0° C. The solution was warmed to 25° C. and then at 65° C. for 45 min. The solution was partitioned between Et₂O and water. The aqueous layer was extracted with Et₂O. The combined organic layers were washed with brine and dried (MgSO₄). Filtration and concentration gave the methyl ester. The methyl ester was hydrolyzed as described above for the fluoro derivative (KOH). After extractive workup, 4-chloro-2,6-dimethyl benzoic acid (158 mg, 89%) was obtained as a yellow solid.

[0198] 8EE: The trihydrochloride salt of the product of Example 8, step 3 (180 mg, 0.38 mmol) and 4-bromo-2,6-dimethyl benzoic acid (95 mg, 0.41 mmol) (see preparation below) were coupled according to the general procedure (EDC/HOBT/iPr₂NEt). Purification via preparative TLC (4/1 hexanes/acetone, SiO₂) gave 8EE as a colorless oil (140 mg bis-HCl salt, 56%).

Preparation of 4-bromo-2.6-dimethyl benzoic acid

[0199]

[0200] Step A: The triflate (500 mg, 1.48 mmol), hexamethylditin (0.31 mmol, 1.48 mmol), LiCl (377 mg, 8.9 mmol), and Pd(PPh₃)₄ (171 mg, 0.15 mmol) were heated in THF (70° C.) under N₂ for 21 h. The solution was partitioned between Et₂O and pH=7 buffer (NH₄OAc). The aqueous layer was extracted with Et₂O. The combined Et₂O layers were washed with brine and dried (Na₂SO₄). Filtration and concentration gave the crude aryl stannane as a yellow semisolid.

[0201] Step B: The aryl stannane (0.74 mmol) was taken up in CH₂Cl₂ at 0° C. Bromine (0.7 ml of 1 M Br₂ in CH₂Cl₂) was added to the solution. The solution was stirred at 0° C. for 30 min. The solution was diluted with CH₂C₁ ₂ and washed with 10% Na₂S₂O₃. The aqueous layer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic layers were dried (Na₂SO₄). The solution was filtered. TFA (2 ml) was added to the solution, and the solution was stirred at 25° C. for 17 h. The solution was concentrated. The residue was partitioned between Et₂O and 1 N NaOH. The aqueous layer was extracted with Et₂O. The aqueous layer was cooled to 0° C. and acidified with conc. HCl (pH=1-2). The aqueous layer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic layers were dried (Na₂SO₄). Filtration and concentration gave 100 mg (59%) of the acid as a white solid.

[0202] Using procedures described following the table, compounds 8FF-8HH of the structure

[0203] were prepared, wherein R¹¹ is defined in the table: Ex. R¹¹ Mp (° C.) HRMS (MH⁺) 8FF —OCH₃ 217-220 572.2048 (2xHCl salt) 8GG —OH 198-204 558.1898 (2xHCl salt) 8HH

200-205 635.2172 (2xHCl salt)

[0204] 8FF: The trihydrochloride salt of the product of Example 8, step 3 (100 mg, 0.21 mmol) and 2,6-dichloro-4-methoxy-benzoic acid (140 mg, 0.63 mmol) were coupled according to the general procedure (EDC/HOBT/iPr₂ NEt). Purification via preparative TLC (3/1 hexanes/EtOAc, SiO₂) gave 8FF as a colorless oil (27 mg, 23%).

[0205] 8GG: The trihydrochloride salt of the product of Example 8, step 3 (330 mg, 0.7 mmol) and 2,6-dichloro-4-hydroxy-benzoic acid (290 mg, 1.4 mmol) (see preparation below) were coupled according to the general procedure (EDC/HOBT/iPr₂NEt). Purification via preparative TLC (1/1 hexanes/EtOAc, SiO₂) gave 8GG as a colorless oil (75 mg, 19%).

Preparatiion of 2.6-dichloro-4-hydroxy-benzoic acid

[0206]

[0207] 2,6-Dichloro-4-methoxy-benzoic acid (500 mg, 2.3 mmol) was taken up in CH₂Cl₂ and cooled to −78° C. BBr₃ (6.9 ml of a 1 M solution in CH₂Cl₂) was added to the solution at −78° C. The solution was warmed to 25° C. and stirred at that temperature for 16 h. The solution was quenched with 3 N NaOH. The aqueous layer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The aqueous layer was cooled (0° C.) and acidified with conc. HCl (pH=1-2). The aqueous layer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic layers were dried (Na₂SO₄). Filtration and concentration gave the crude phenol which was used without further purification.

[0208] 8HH: The trihydrochloride salt of the product of Example 8, step 3 (96 mg, 0.2 mmol) and 2,6-dichloro-4-(4-pyridyl-N-oxide)-benzoic acid (55 mg, 0.2 mmol) (see preparation below) were coupled according to the general procedure (EDC/HOBT/iPr₂NEt). Purification via preparative TLC (1/5 hexanes/acetone, SiO₂) gave 8HH as a colorless oil (54 mg, 43%).

Preparation of 2,6-dichloro-4-(4-pyridyl-N-oxide) benzoic acid

[0209]

[0210] 2,4,6-Trichloro benzoic acid, tert-butyl ester (500 mg, 1.8 mmol), 4-pyridyl boronic acid (270 mg, 2.16 mmol), Pd(PCy₃)₂Cl₂ (130 mg, 0.18 mmol), and CsF (540 mg, 3.6 mmol) were taken up in NMP and heated at 100° C. under N₂ (16 h). The solution was partitioned between EtOAc and water. The aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc. The combined organic layers were washed with water and brine and dried (Na₂SO₄). Filtration and concentration gave the crude product. Purification via preparative TLC (1/1 hexanes/EtOAc, SiO₂) gave 68 mg (12%) of the pyridyl ester. The tert-butyl ester was converted into the acid as done previously for the dimethyl derivative (a. mCPBA /b. TFA).

[0211] Using suitable starting materials and the procedures described for examples 8S to 8HH, the compounds of the following structure were prepared:

[0212] wherein R¹¹ is defined in the table m.p. HRMS (MH⁺) HRMS (MH⁺) Ex. R¹¹ (° C.) calc. found 8II —OCH₃ 236-240 532.3151 532.3166 8JJ —CH₃ >260 516.3202 516.3213 8KK

186-190 603.3522 603.3513 8LL

202-208 579.3311 579.3303 8MM

210-216 579.3311 579.3311 8NN

196-203 595.3260 595.3256 8OO

>230 (dec) 578.3358 578.3368 8PP

135-140 617.3679 617.3671 8QQ

205-215 602.3682 602.3722 8RR CH₂OH >235 (dec) 532.3151 532.3124 8SS

206-212 580.3263 580.3258 8TT

198-204 579.3311 579.3315 8UU

231-236 580.3263 580.3252 8VV

201-207 613.2977 613.2981 8WW

215-220 650.2487 650.2497 8XX

198-201 545.3103 545.3098 8YY

210-214 595.2930 595.2921 8ZZ CH₂F >245 534.3108 534.3117 8AB

202-205 624.3195 624.3204 8AC

208-213 559.3260 559.3263 8AD

215-220 560.3212 560.3220 8AE

215-220 573.3416 573.3424 8AF

215-220 559.3260 559.3257 8AG

205-209 602.3682 602.3672 8AH

186-192 574.3369 574.3378 8AI

200-206 616.3838 616.3844 8AJ

165-173 661.3941 661.3949 8AK CN 240-250 527.2998 527.2991 8AL

211-215 622.3136 622.3129 8AM

170-174 616.3838 616.3836 8AN

192-196 614.3682 614.3690

[0213] All melting points were done on the bis hydrochloride salts (2×HCl) except 8PP was performed on the free base

[0214] Using derivatives of the triflate intermediate described in 8Z in procedures similar to those described above and following the table for 8AO-8AQ, the compounds of the following structure were prepared:

[0215] wherein R¹¹ is defined in the table Ex. R¹¹ m.p. (° C.) 8AO —CN 240-250 8AP —CONHEt 215-220 8AQ —N(CH₃CONHEt 186-203 8AR —CONH₂ 200-208 8AS —CONHCH₃ 215-220 8AT —CON(CH₂CH₂OCH₃)₂ 165-173 8AU —CON(Et)₂ 170-180 8AV —N(CH₃)CONHCH₃ 198-210 8AW —NHCH₃ 190-200 8AX —N(CH₃)CONH₂ 190-220

[0216]8AO:

[0217] Step 1: The triflate intermediate (see 8W) (0.4 g), Zn(CN)₂ (0.2 g), Pd(PPh₃)₄ (0.3 g) and DMF (1.5 ml) were heated at 80° C. for 17 h. The reaction was cooled to RT, diluted with EtOAc and saturated aqueous NaHCO₃. The EtOAc layer was removed, washed with water, dried with brine and evaporated to give a crude oil which was purified by preparative plate chromatography (2000 μM silica plates; 8:1 hexanes: EtOAc eluant), to give, after isolation of the appropriate band, the cyano intermediate (0.2 g) in 77% yield.

[0218] Step 2: The product of Step 1 (0.2 g) was dissolved in MeOH (1.5 ml) and HCl (4M solution in 1,4-dioxane; 2 ml) was added. The resulting solution was stirred at 50° C. for 3 h and evaporated. This crude intermediate (0.038 g) and the product of Example 8, Step 3 (65 mg; trihydrochloride form) were treated in the same fashion as Example 8, Step 4, using DMF (2 ml), HOBt (45 mg), DEC (60 mg) and diisopropyl ethyl amine (0.1 ml) to give, after isolation and purification, the free base form of 8AO, which was converted to its HCl salt (45 mg) in 95% yield.

[0219] 8AP:

[0220] Step 1: 2,6-Dimethyl-4-formyl benzoic acid (1.96 g) (see 8W) was dissolved in t-butanol (94 ml) and 2-methyl-2-butene (24 ml). A solution of NaClO₂ (6.89 g), NaH₂PO₄ monohydrate (8.17 g) and water (45 ml) was added dropwise to the first solution. After complete addition, the pH was adjusted to 3 and two layers resulted. The organic layer was removed and evaporated to give intermediate acid (1.80 g) as a white crystalline solid, which was used without purification.

[0221] Step 2: To a solution of the product of Step 1 (0.62 g), CH₂Cl₂ (5 ml) and DMF (1 drop) was added oxalyl chloride (0.31 ml) and the resulting solution was stirred for 10 min, at which time a second portion of oxalyl chloride (0.30 ml) was added. The reaction was stirred for 10 min, toluene was added and the mixture was evaporated to dryness. CH₂Cl₂ (10 ml) and EtNH₂ (1 ml) were added and the reaction was stirred for 2 days, then partitioned between brine and CH₂Cl₂. The CH₂Cl₂ layer was evaporated and HCl (4 ml of a 4 M solution in 1,4-dioxane) was added. The resulting solution was stirred for 3 h and evaporated to give a solid which was washed with Et₂O and collected to give the amide intermediate (0.13 g) in 24% yield.

[0222] Step 3: The product of Example 8, Step 3 (60 mg; trihydrochloride form) and the product of step 2 (35 mg) were treated in the same fashion as Example 8, Step 4 to give, after work up and purification, 8AP as the free base form, which was converted to the HCl salt (50 mg) in 62% yield.

[0223] 8AQ:

[0224] Step 1: To a solution of the amine intermediate (2 g) (see 8Z) was added NaH (0.4 g of a 60% oil dispersion). The resulting suspension was stirred for 15 min and Me₂SO₄ was added. After heating at reflux for 1.5 h, the reaction was cooled to RT, poured into saturated NH₄Cl aqueous solution and extracted with EGO. After evaporation, the crude reaction mixture was chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with 4:1 hexanes:EtOAc, to give, after evaporation of the appropriate fractions, the methylamine intermediate (0.8 g) in 38% yield.

[0225] Step 2: The product of Step 1 (0.12 g), THF (5 ml) and EtNCO (54 mg) were heated at reflux for 17 h. EtNCO (54 mg) and 1,4-dioxane (2 ml) were added and the resulting solution was heated in a sealed tube at 65° C. for 17 h. The solution was cooled, evaporated and purified by preparative plate chromatography (silica gel; 25% EtOAc:CH₂Cl₂), to give the desired product (0.1 g) as a crystalline solid in 64% yield.

[0226] Step 3: The product of Step 2 (0.1 g) was treated in the same fashion as Example 8, Step 3 (p 28) to give the desired intermediate (0.08 g) which was used directly in the next step.

[0227] Step 4: The product of Example 8, Step 3(75 mg; trihydrochloride form) and the product of Step 3 (0.04 g) were treated in the same fashion as Example 8, Step 4, to give, after work up and purification, 8AQ as the free base form, which was converted to the HCl salt (65 mg) in 62% yield.

[0228] Using procedures described above and employing commercially available acids, compounds 8AY-8BT of the structure

[0229] were prepared, wherein R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are defined in the table: Ex. R¹⁰ R¹¹ Mp (° C.) 8AY —CH₃ H 205-208 8AZ F H 250-255 8BA Cl H 215-217 8BC —CH₃ Br 228-231 8BD —CH₃

194-198 8BE Cl Cl 240-241 8BF Cl F 268-270 8BG Br H 210-213 8BH Cl Br 213-217 8BI Br F 176-181 8BJ I H 184-190 8BK —CF₃ F 204-209 8BL F F 268-270 8BM Cl NH₂ 215-220 8BN H F 258-260 8BO H Br 238-240 8BP H Cl 235-240 8BQ Br CI 190-194 8BR CH₃CH₂— H 211-214 8BS —Si(CH₃)₃ H 230-240 8BT Cl NO₂ 275-280

[0230] Using procedures similar to those described above, the following compounds were prepared:

[0231] wherein R⁸, R³, R⁶ and R² are as defined in the table: Ex. R⁸ R³ R⁶ R² Mp (° C.) 8BU —CF₃

—CH₃

195-220 8BV —CF₃

—CH₃

80-85 8BW —CF₃

—CH₃

212-217 8BX —CF₃

—CH₃

235-238 8BY —CF₃

—CH₃

195-200 8BZ —CF₃

—CH₃

237-240 8CA —CF₃

—CH₂CH₃

179-181 8CB —CF₃

—CH₂CH₃

200-202 8CD —CF₃

—CH₂CH₃

199-205 8CE

—CH₃

206-210 8CF —CF₃

—CH₃

235-239

EXAMPLE 9

[0232]

[0233] Step 1: A solution of 4-N-BOC-2(S)-methyl piperazine (1.5 g; 7.5 mmol), 4-methoxy-benzyl chloride (1.1 ml; 8.1 mmol) and diisopropyl ethyl amine (1.5 ml) in dry CH₃CN were heated at reflux for 5 h. The reaction mixture was cooled to RT and volatiles were removed in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (30 ml) and washed with water and brine. Concentration gave the crude product, which was purified by FSGC (10% EtOAc-hexanes) to obtain 2.1 g (88%) of product as a pale yellow liquid.

[0234] TFA (6 ml) was added to a solution of the above compound (2.1 g; 6.56 mmol) in 12 ml of CH₂Cl₂ and the mixture stirred at 25° C. for 1.5 h. The reaction was quenched with 1N NaOH and adjusted to pH 10. Extractive work-up in CH₂Cl₂ furnished the desired product (1.4 g; 97%) as a colorless gum.

[0235] Step 2: A mixture of the product of step 1 (1.4 g; 6.36 mmol), N-BOC-4-piperidinone (1.27 g; 6.4 mmol) and Ti(OiPr)₄ (1.9 ml; 6.4 mmol) was stirred at 25° C. for 24 h. A 1M solution of Et₂AlCN in toluene (7.6 ml) was added to the reaction mixture and the mixture stirred at ambient temperature for another day. The Strecker amine thus formed was worked-up and isolated (2.7 g; 100%) as described in Example 8, step 2. TLC R_(f)=0.3 in 25% EtOAc-CH₂Cl₂.

[0236] The Strecker amine (2.7 g; 6.3 mmol) was dissolved in 15 ml of dry THF at 0° C. and CH₃ MgBr (3 M in Et₂O; 10.5 ml) was added to it. After 1 h, the ice bath was removed and the reaction allowed to proceed at RT for 15 h. TLC analysis of the heterogeneous reaction mixture showed no change from the starting material; the mixture was warmed at 60° C. for 5 h with no observed change in TLC behavior. The reaction mixture was quenched with saturated NH₄Cl and organic products extracted into CH₂Cl₂. FSGC of the crude product (2.7 g) using 15% acetone-hexanes as the eluant provided the desired ipso-methyl compound as a colorless gum (2.3 g; 87%).

[0237] Step 3: The product of step 2 (1.7 g; 4.08 mmol), ammonium formate (1.4 g; 22 mmol) and 10% palladium on carbon (0.4 g) were mixed in 20 ml of CH₃OH and heated at reflux for 5 h. The reaction mixture was filtered through celite and volatiles were removed. The residue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ and washed with 10% NaOH solution, water and brine. Concentration in vacuo gave 1.1 g (92%) of pale yellow gum.

[0238] Step 4: A solution of the product of step 3 (0.12 g; 0.4 mmol), p-trifluoro-methyl benzyl bromide (0.1 g; 0.4 mmol) and diisopropyl ethyl amine (0.1 ml) in dry CH₃CN was gently warmed (60-70° C.) for 16 h. The mixture was cooled and organic product isolated via extractive work-up in CH₂Cl₂. FSGC (10-30% Et₂O—CH₂Cl₂; R_(f)=0.4) yielded the major product as a colorless film (0.12 g; 68%).

[0239] Treatment of the above product (in CH₂Cl₂) with TFA (1 ml) for 1 h followed by basification and standard work-up provided the desired compound (0.09 g; 96%) as a colorless film.

[0240] Step 5: The product of step 4 (0.045 g; 0.13 mmol) and 6-chloro anthranilic acid (0.022 g; 0.13 mmol) were coupled as described in Example 1 and after work-up and FSGC (5% CH₃OH in CH₂Cl₂) the title compound was isolated as a colorless film (0.058 g; 90%).

[0241] The HCl salt of the title compound was prepared in the usual manner by the reaction of the free base with 1M HCl—Et₂O and processing the precipitate to obtain a beige solid (0.066 g).

[0242] Using a similar procedure, the product of step 3 was converted to other compounds, first by alkylation of the piperazine nitrogen with the appropriate halide, followed by deprotection and coupling of the piperidinyl portion with the appropriate acid to form the amides of general structure:

[0243] wherein R and R² are as defined in the table: Ex. R R² Mp (° C.) HRMS (MH⁺) 9A

246-249 509.2293 9B

204-208 488.2895 9C

247-249 546.1978 9D

249-251 567.1407 9E

206-209 504.2848 9F

244-247 525.2242 9G

201-204 484.2630 9H

222-226 505.2039 9I

226-229 451.3060 9J

229-232 472.2474 9K

268-271 455.2577 9L

212-216 476.1975 9M

229-232 450.3126 9N

246-251 434.3168 9O

192-205 — 9P

185-196 — 9Q

202-210 — 9R

203-206 — 9S

190-205 — 9T

180-205 — 9U

258-262 —

[0244] Using a similar procedure described below, compounds wherein R is 4-ethoxynaphthyl were also prepared:

[0245] Steps 1-3: See Example 9.

[0246] Step 4A: 4-Hydroxynaphthaldehyde (0.86 g) and K₂CO₃ (1.38 g, 2 equiv.) in CH₃CN (35 ml) were treated with CH₃CH₂1 (0.80 ml, 2 equiv.), and the resulting mixture was stirred at RT for 20 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo, the residue treated with EtOAc, and the mixture filtered. The filtrate was partitioned with H₂O. The dried (MgSO₄) EtOAc was concentrated in vacuo to give an orange-brown residue (0.89 g). This residue was placed on preparative thin layer plates (10, 1000μ), and eluted with CH₂Cl₂ to give the title compound (0.82 g).

[0247] Step 4: Under argon, the products of step 3 (0.270 g; 0.95 mmol) and step 4A (0.571 g; 2.9 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (25 ml) were stirred at RT for 30 min. Na(OAc)₃BH (0.506 g; 3.4 mmol) was added. After 19 h, the reaction mixture was quenched with dilute NaOH. The aqueous layer was washed with CH₂Cl₂ (3×). The combined CH₂Cl₂ solution was washed with H₂O (3×) and then brine. The dried (MgSO₄) CH₂Cl₂ solution was concentrated to ˜50 ml. Amberlyst 15 (4.5 meq/g: 2.4 g; 11.025 mmeq) was added. After 19 h, additional Amberlyst 15 (2.3 g) was added. After 7 h, the resin was washed with CH₂Cl₂ (5×), THF (5×), THF:H₂O (5×), H₂O (5×), CH₃OH (5×) and CH₂Cl₂ (5×). The resin was eluted with 2M NH₃ in CH₃OH (300 ml) (3×), followed by concentration in vacuo to give an amber oil (0.215 g). The crude material was placed on preparative thin layer plates (4, 1000μ), and eluted with CH₂Cl₂:2M NH₃ in CH₃OH (9:1) to give an amber oil (0.125 g, 36%).

[0248] Step 5: Using the appropriate carboxylic acid in the procedure of Example 9, step 5, the following compounds were prepared:

[0249] LCMS found M+H=531; HPLC* Retention time 5.52 min.

[0250] LCMS found M+H=516; HPLC* Retention time 5.66 min. *HPLC: VYDAC 218TP5405 column; gradient 5-95% B over 10 min hold 2 min; Soln A 0.1% TFA/H₂O, Soln B 0.1% TFA/CH₃CN at 245 nm.

[0251] Using a similar procedure wherein the starting piperazine does not have the methyl substituent, the following compound was prepared:

EXAMPLE 10

[0252]

[0253] Step 1: A solution of 4-N-BOC-2(S)-methyl piperazine (0.4 g; 2 mmol), p-iodobenzaldehyde (0.46 g; 2 mmol) and NaBH(OAc)₃ (0.65 g; 3 mmol) in 6 ml of CH₂Cl₂ was heated at gentle reflux for 14 h. The contents were cooled, diluted with 30 ml of CH₂Cl₂ and washed with 1N NaOH solution, water and brine to isolate an yellow oil (0.8 g). FSGC (25% EtOAc-hexane) afforded the desired product (0.66 g; 79%) as a colorless film. TLC R_(f)=0.6 in 25% EtOAc-hexane

[0254] The BOC protecting group was removed from the product (0.66 g; 1.58 mmol) by treatment with TFA (1 ml) in CH₂Cl₂ (2 ml). Following standard work up, the mono-alkylated piperazine (0.5 g; 100%) was obtained as a colorless gum.

[0255] Step 2: NaBH(OAc)₃ (0.63 g; 3 mmol) and two drops of AcOH were added to a solution of the product of step 1 (0.5 g; 1.58 mmol) and N-BOC-piperidinone (0.6 g; 3 mmol) in 5 ml of CH₂Cl₂ and the resulting solution was stirred at ambient temperature for 16 h. After the usual work up and FSGC, the desired product (0.6 g; 76%) was obtained as a colorless oil. TLC R_(f)=0.4 in 25% acetone-CH₂Cl₂.

[0256] The free piperidine (0.38 g; 79%) was prepared from the N-BOC protected compound (0.6 g; 1.2 mmol) by treatment with TFA (2 ml) in CH₂Cl₂ (5 ml).

[0257] Compound 10A: The coupling of 6-chloro anthranilic acid (0.065 g; 0.38 mmol) with the product of step 2 (0.127 g; 0.32 mmol) in the presence of DEC (0.092 g; 0.48 mmol), HOBT (0.065 g; 0.48 mmol) and diisopropylethyl amine (0.1 ml), followed by product isolation, were carried out as described previously. This procedure furnished the compound 10A (0.13 g; 73%) as a colorless film. TLC R_(f)=0.5/ 0.45 for a pair of rotomers in 2% CH₃OH—CH₂Cl₂.

[0258] The HCl salt of the title compound was prepared in the usual manner. Mp: 198-202° C.; HRMS (MH⁺)=553.1231.

[0259] Compound 10B: Coupling the product of step 2 with 6-methyl anthranilic acid gave compound 10B (HCl salt) in 73% yield. Mp: 197-200° C.; HRMS (MH⁺)=533.1774.

[0260] Compound 10C: 2,6-Dimethyl benzoic acid was coupled to the product of step 2 to obtain the amide 10C (HCl salt) in 50% yield. Mp: 202-205° C.; HRMS (MH⁺)=532.1826.

EXAMPLE 11

[0261]

[0262] Step 1: (S)-Methylbenzylamine (27 ml, 0.2 mol) in CH₂Cl₂ (50 ml) was dropped into ice-cold trifluoroacetic anhydride (40 ml) in CH₂Cl₂ (200 ml) within 15 min. The mixture was stirred at RT for 1 h, then cooled in an ice water bath, iodine was added (27 g, 0.106 mol) and then [bis(trifluoro-acetoxy)iodo]-benzene (25 g, 0.058 mol). After being stirred at RT overnight in the dark, more fbis(trifluoroacetoxy)iodo]benzene (24 g, 0.056 mol) was added and the mixture was stirred at RT for one more day. The mixture was diluted with CH₂Cl₂ (500 ml) and ice-cold Na₂SO₃ (10% aqueous, 500 ml) and stirred for 0.5 h. The organic layer was separated and washed with NaHCO₃, filtered through a short silica gel column and washed with CH₂Cl₂ (500 ml). After CH₂Cl₂ was evaporated, Et₂O (125 ml) was added and the mixture stirred for 10 min. Hexanes (600 ml) was added gradually to the Et₂O solution and the mixture was stirred for 0.5 h. The precipitate was collected and washed with hexanes. The white solid was dried at RT and iodo compound (36.5 g, 53% yield, R_(f)=0.7, EtOAc/hexanes, 1:3) was obtained.

[0263] Step 2: The product of step 1 (11.2 g, 0.033 mol) was dissolved in CH₃OH (200 ml) and NaOH (15 g, 0.375 mol) in water (100 ml) was added dropwise. The mixture was stirred at RT for 2.5 h. After the CH₃OH was evaporated, the aqueous layer was extracted with Et₂O (3×100 ml) and the combined organic portion was washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated to give a free amine.

[0264] Methyl-R-lactate (4.08 g, 0.039 mol) was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (40 ml) and the mixture was stirred and cooled in acetone —CO₂ to −78° C. under N₂ atmosphere. Trifluoromethane sulfonic anhydride (10.2 g, 0.036 mmol) and then 2,6-lutidine (6.27 g, 0.059 mol) were added and the mixture was stirred for 5 min at −78° C. The mixture was warmed to RT and stirred for 30 min. More CH₂Cl₂ was added to the mixture and the solution was washed with 2N HCl. The freshly prepared amine from above was added to the triflate solution followed by K₂CO₃ (18 g, 0.132 mol) in water (20 ml). The mixture was stirred at RT overnight. Extractive work-up with CH₂Cl₂ followed by silica gel column chromatography gave a secondary amine (8.27 g, 75% yield, R_(f)=0.65, hexanes/EtOAc, 3:1) as a yellow syrup.

[0265] Step 3: The amine of step 2 (17.3 g, 0.052 mol) was dissolved in dichloroethane (100 ml) and ClCH₂COCl (117.2 g, 82 ml, 1.04 mol). The mixture was stirred under reflux condition for 3 h. Both the solvent and ClCH₂COCl were removed under vacuum. The remaining yellow syrup was dissolved in DMSO (40 ml) at 0° C. and Nal (5.2 g, 0.035 mol) and NH₄OH (56 ml, 1.04 mol) were added. The reaction mixture was stirred 0° C. for 30 min., warmed up to RT and stirred overnight. Water (100 ml) was added to the mixture and the precipitate was filtered and washed with water. The white solid obtained was dried in air to give the diketopiperazine (14.3 g, 77% yield, R_(f)=0.56, hexanes/EtOAc, 3:1).

[0266] Step 4: The diketopiperazine of step 3 (14.3 g, 0.04 mol) was dissolved in dimethoxy ethane (200 ml) and NaBH₄ (15.1 g, 0.4 mol) and BF₃.OEt₂ (34 g, 29.5 ml, 0.24 mol) were added to the solution. The mixture was stirred under reflux conditions for 3 h and then cooled to about 0° C. on a ice bath. CH₃OH (500 ml) and then concentrated HCl (300 ml) were added slowly to the mixture. The solution was stirred for 20 min. at RT and then under reflux conditions for 45 min. The mixture was concentrated and NaOH was added until the pH was more than 10. Extractive work up with EtOAc gave the desired piperazine as a yellow syrup (12.9 g, 98% yield).

[0267] Step 5: The product of step 4 (1.9 g, 5.79 mmol), N-BOC-4-piperidone (5.73 g, 28.8 mmol), NaBH(OAc)₃ (6.1 g, 28.8 mmol) and 2M AcOH (5.76 ml, 11.52 mmol) were combined in CH₂Cl₂ (150 ml) and the mixture was stirred overnight. After the solvent was removed, NaOH (3N) was added and extractive work up with EtOAc followed by silica gel chromatography afforded pure piperazino-piperidine (2.21 g, 75% yield, R_(f)=0.18, hexanes/EtOAc, 1:1) as a syrup.

[0268] Step 6: The product of step 5 (1.9 g, 3.7 mmol) was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (10 ml) and TFA (10 ml) was added. The mixture was stirred at RT for 2 h. After the removal of the solvent and TFA under reduced pressure, NaOH solution (3N) was added to the remaining syrup and extractive work up with EtOAc gave the free piperazino-piperidine (1.3 g, 85% yield) as a yellow syrup. To a solution of the free piperazino-piperidine (200 mg, 0.484 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (2 ml) were added 2,6-dimethylbenzoic acid (150 mg, 0.99 mmol), DEC (191 mg, 0.99 mmol) and HOBT (135 mg, 0.99 mmol). The mixture was stirred at RT overnight and then the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. NaOH solution (3N) was added to the remaining syrup and extractive work up with EtOAc followed by column chromatography afforded the title compound (210 mg, 80% yield, R_(f)=0.37, CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH, 20:1). HRMS (as the HCl) calcd for C₂₇H₃₇N₃Ol (M+H⁺) 546.1981, found 546.1965. Mp: 190° C. (dec.).

[0269] Using a similar procedure, compounds of the formula

[0270] were prepared, wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ are as defined in the table: Ex R⁹ R¹⁰ Mp (° C.) HRMS 11A —CH₃ —NH₂ 198 (dec.) 547.1928 11B —Cl —NH₂ 203 (dec.) 567.1395 11C —OH —OH 200 (dec.) 550.1555 11D —OCH₃ —OCH₃ 200 (dec.) 578.1860

EXAMPLE 12

[0271]

[0272] Step 1: To the solution of the product of Example 11, step 4 (1.4 g, 4.2 mmol) and 1-tert-butoxycarbonyl-4-piperidone (0.93 g, 4.67 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ was added Ti(OiPr)₄ (1.19 g, 4.2 mmol) and the mixture was stirred at RT overnight. 1M Et₂AlCN (5.04 ml, 5.04 mmol) was added, the mixture was stirred overnight at RT and the solvent was evaporated. Saturated NaHCO₃ was added to the residue and extractive work up with EtOAc gave the Strecker amine as a yellow syrup. The syrup was dissolved in THF (40 ml) and 3M CH₃MgBr (7 ml, 21 mmol) was added to the solution. The mixture was stirred at RT overnight, then cooled to 0° C. and saturated NH₄Cl and water was added. Extractive work up with EtOAc followed by silica gel chromatography gave the piperazino-piperidine product (1.78 g, 81% yield, R_(f)=0.52, hexanes/EtOAc, 2:1).

[0273] Step 2: Treat the product of step 1 in the manner described in Example 11, Step 6, to obtain the title compound. Mp. 190° C. (dec.); HRMS (as the HCl salt): found 560.2145.

[0274] Using a similar procedure, compounds of the formula

[0275] were prepared, wherein R² is as defined in the table: Ex R² mp (° C.) HRMS 12A

145 (dec.) 581.1537 12B

150 (dec.) 561.2083 12C

208 (dec.) 561.2096 12D

206 (dec.) 562.1944 12E

190 (dec.) 577.2029 12F

245 (dec.) 601.1006 12G

218 (dec.) 577.2029 12H

195 (dec.) 617.0945 12I

116 (dec.) 562.2048

EXAMPLE 13

[0276]

[0277] Step 1: To a solution of the N-BOC protected product of Example 11, step 4 (250 mg, 0.581 mmol) in DMF (2.5 ml), CuCl (1 g, 10.1 mmol) was added. The suspension was stirred under N₂ at 110° C. for 24 h. After the mixture was cooled to RT, NH₄OH was added and the solution gradually turned bright blue. Extractive work up with EtOAc gave a mixture of the chloro-substituted piperazine and its BOC derivative. After treating the mixture with TFA (5 ml) in CH₂Cl₂ (2 ml) for 2 h, the solvent was evaporated and NaOH (3N) was added. Extractive work up with EtOAc afforded the pure piperazine (110 mg, 79%) as a yellow syrup.

[0278] Step 2: The product of step 1 was treated in a manner similar to Example 11, steps 5 and 6, to obtain the title compound. Mp. 180° C. (dec.); HRMS (as the HCl salt): found 454.2617.

[0279] Using a similar procedure, compounds of the formula

[0280] were prepared, wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ are as defined in the table: Ex R⁹ R¹⁰ Mp (° C.) HRMS 13A —CH₃ —NH₂ 200 (dec.) 455.2577 13B —Cl —NH₂ 200 (dec.) 475.2023 13C —Cl —Cl 187 (dec.) 494.1536

[0281] Using the product of step 1 in the procedure of Example 12, compounds of the formula

[0282] were prepared, wherein R² is as defined in the table: Ex R² Mp (° C.) HRMS 13D

197 (dec.) 468.2779 13E

205 (dec.) 489.2184 13F

210 (dec.) 469.2734 13G

195 (dec.) 470.2689 13H

260 (dec.) 509.1634 13I

200 (dec.) 485.2688

EXAMPLE 14

[0283]

[0284] Step 1: To a solution of the N-BOC protected product of Example 11, step 4 (5 g, 0.012 mol) in DMF (20 ml), CuCN (20.8 g, 0.23 mol) was added. The suspension was stirred under N₂ at 110° C. for 22 h. After the mixture was cooled to RT, NH₄OH was added and the solution gradually turned bright blue. Extractive work up with EtOAc followed by silica gel column chromatography gave the cyano derivative (2.29 g, 60% yield, R_(f)=0.5, hexanes/EtOAc, 4:1), the carboxamide derivative (0.95 g, 23.6% yield, R_(f)=0.2, CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH, 10:1) and the unsubstituted derivative (85 mg, 2.4% yield, R_(f)=0.75, hexanes/EtOAc, 2:1).

[0285] Step 2: The BOC group on the cyano compound of step 1 was first removed under acidic conditions and the resultant amine was converted to the title compound following the procedure of Example 11, steps 5 and 6. HRMS (as the HCl salt): found 445.4970.

EXAMPLE 15

[0286]

[0287] Step 1: To a solution of the N-BOC protected product of Example 11, step 4 (1.4 g, 3.26 mmol) and CuCl (1.61 g, 16.3 mmol) in CH₃OH at 0° C. was added NaBH₄ (3.69 g, 97.6 mmol) slowly. A black precipitate was formed. The mixture was warmed to RT and stirred overnight. The precipitate was removed by celite filtration and CH₃OH was removed under vacuum. Extractive work up with EtOAc afforded the desired compound (1 g, 100% yield, R_(f)=0.55, hexanes/EtOAc, 5:1) as a syrup.

[0288] Step 2: The BOC group on the product of step 1 was removed under acidic conditions and the resultant amine was converted to the title compound following the procedure of Example 11, steps 5 and 6. Mp. 195° C.; HRMS (as the HCl salt): found 420.3016.

[0289] Using a similar procedure, the following compound is prepared:

[0290] HRMS (as the HCl salt): found 441.2426

EXAMPLE 16

[0291]

[0292] Step 1: To a solution of the N-BOC protected product of Example 11, step 4 (2.5 g, 5.8 mmol) in benzene were added phenyl boric acid (1.68 g, 13.8 mmol), 2M Na₂CO₃ (14 ml) and tetrakis(tri-phenyl phosphine) palladium (0.67 g, 0.58 mmol). The mixture was stirred under reflux overnight. Extractive work up with EtOAc followed by silica gel column chromatography gave the phenyl derivative (1.37 g, 62% yield, R_(f)=0.5, hexane/EtOAc, 5:1) as a syrup.

[0293] Step 2: The BOC group on the product of step 1 was removed under acidic conditions and the resultant amine was converted to the title compound following the procedure of Example 11, steps 5 and 6. Mp. 190° C.; HRMS (as the HCl salt): found 496.3319.

[0294] Using a similar procedure, compounds of the formula

[0295] were prepared, wherein R² is as defined in the table: Sch Ex R² Mp (° c.) HRMS 223254 16A

190 (dec.) 517.2754 223255 1GB

65-70* 497.3287 2?5666 16C

190 (dec.) 498.3225

EXAMPLE 17

[0296]

[0297] Step 1: The N-BOC protected product of Example 11, step 4 (800 mg, 1.88 mmol) was dissolved in dry THF and the temperature was brought to −78° C. under N₂. Butyl lithium (2.5 M solution, 0.832 ml, 2 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred at −78° C. for 10 min. The solution then was dropped into p-chlorobenzyl aldehyde (234 mg, 2.07 mmol) in THF at −78° C. The mixture was stirred for 30 min. at −78° C., then gradually warmed up to RT. Saturated NH₄Cl was added to the mixture and extractive work up with EtOAc followed by silica gel column chromatography gave the desired alcohol (30 mg, 3.6% yield, R_(f)=0.5, hexanes/EtOAc, 2:1) as a yellow syrup.

[0298] Step 2: A solution of alcohol of step 1 (40 mg, 0.090 mmol), triethylsilane (52 mg, 0.45 mmol) and TFA (5 ml) in CH₂Cl₂ (5 ml) was stirred under reflux conditions for 2 h. After CH₂Cl₂, triethylsilane and TFA were removed under reduced pressure, NaOH solution (3N) was added to the remaining syrup. Extractive work up with EtOAc afforded the chlorobenzyl derivative (20 mg, 68% yield) as a yellow syrup..

[0299] Step 3: The product of step 2 was converted to the title compound following the procedure of Example 11, steps 5 and 6. Mp. 170° C. (dec.); HRMS (as the HCl salt): found 544.3101.

EXAMPLE 18

[0300]

[0301] Step 1: To a solution of the N-BOC protected 4-piperidinyl derivative of the cyano compound of Example 14, step 1 (510 mg, 1.24 mmol) in Et₂O (4 ml) was added 3M CH₃ MgBr (4 ml) in a dropwise manner. The mixture was stirred under reflux overnight. After the solution was cooled on ice-bath, 12N HCl (4 ml) was added and the mixture was stirred on a steam bath for 2 h. The solution was cooled to RT and solid NaOH pellets were added until the pH was more than 10. Extractive work up with EtOAc/CH₃OH (3:1) afforded the desired methyl ketone (249 mg, 61% yield) as a syrup.

[0302] Step 2: The product of step 1 was treated according to the standard DEC peptide coupling procedures of Example 11, step 6, to obtain the title compound. Mp. 210° C.; HRMS (as the HCl salt): found 483.2522.

[0303] Using a similar procedure, the following compound is prepared:

[0304] Mp. 210° C. (dec.); HRMS (as the HCl salt): found 463.3088

EXAMPLE 19

[0305]

[0306] Step 1: To a solution of the product of Example 22 (140 mg, 0.29 mmol) in CH₃OH (10 ml) and EtOH (1 ml) were added NH₂OCH₃.HCl (738 mg, 8.84 mmol) and NaOAc (725 mg, 8.84 mmol). The suspension was stirred at 40° C. overnight, the solvents were evaporated and water was added to the residue. Extractive work up with EtOAc followed by silica gel chromatography generated the title compound (99 mg, 68% yield, R_(f)=0.38, CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH, 20:1). HRMS (as the tartrate) calc'd. for C₃₁H₄₅N₄O₂ (M+H⁺) 505.3543; found 505.3542.

[0307] Using a similar procedure, compounds of the formula

[0308] were prepared, wherein R⁸, R⁶ and R² are as defined in the table: Ex R⁸ R⁶ R² mp (° C.) HRMS 19A

H

194 (dec.) 512.2785 19B

H

150 (dec.) 492.3344 19C

H

— 506.3494 19D

—CH₃

180 (dec.) 508.3296 19E

—CH₃

195 (dec.) 493.3291

EXAMPLE 20

[0309]

[0310] Dissolve the free piperazino-piperidine of Example 11, step 6 (1.7 g, 3.3 mmol) in CHCl₃ (30 ml; =Stock solution A). Add 250 ul of stock solution A (0.027 mmol) to a slurry of 0.15 g (˜0.14 mmol ) of resin bound cardodiimide (prepared by reacting Argopore-Cl resin with 1-(3-dimethyl-aminopropyl)3-ethyl carbodiimide in DMF at 100° C. in DMF (1.5 ml) in a polyethylene SPE cartridge. To this mixture add 75ul of a 1 M solution of 5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazole-4-carboxylic acid in DMF (0.075 mmol), and HOBT (24 ul of a 1M solution in DMF). Shake this mixture for 14 h, filter and add 0.1 g of Amberlyst-15 resin (0.47 mmol) to the filtrate. Shake for 1 to 2 h, filter and wash the resin twice with each of the following solvents THF, CH₂Cl₂ and CH₃OH, then wash with THF and CH₂Cl₂. Treat the resin with 2M NH₃ in CH₃OH (1 time for 30 min, and 1 time for 5 min). Combine and concentrate the filtrates under reduced pressure to afford the title compound. LCMS found MH⁺=599.1 (calculated MW 598); TLC R_(f)=0.74 (CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/NH₄OH (95/5/0.5)).

[0311] Using the procedure above with the appropriate carboxylic acids gave the following compounds

[0312] wherein R² is as defined in the table: LCMS TLC Ex. R² results R_(f) values 20A

MH⁺ 600.1 R_(t) = 6.56 min. 0.92 20B

MH⁺ 601.1 R_(t) = 5.69 min. 0.63 20C

MH⁺ 560.1 R_(t) = 5.77 min. 0.60 20D

MH⁺ 588.1 R_(t) = 6.61 min. 0.66 20E

MH⁺ 604.1 R_(t) = 5.60 min. 0.87 20F

MH⁺ 658.2 R_(t) = 5.69 min. 0.86 20G

MH⁺ 606.1 R_(t) = 6.17 min. 0.43 20H

MH⁺ 568.1 R_(t) = 6.02 min. 0.57 20I

MH⁺ 586.1 R_(t) = 6.02 min. 0.63 20J

MH⁺ 558.1 R_(t) = 5.35 min. 0.33 20K

MH⁺ 546.1 R_(t) = 5.37 min. 0.52

EXAMPLE 21

[0313]

[0314] Step 1: The BOC group on the cyano compound of Example 14, step 1, was first removed under acidic conditions and the resulting amine (1.59 g, 6.96 mmol), 1-tert-butoxycarbonyl-4-piperidone (1.66 g, 8.35 mmol) and Ti(OiPr)₄ (2.18 g, 7.66 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ were stirred at RT overnight. 1M Et₂AlCN (8.35 ml, 8.35 mmol) was added, the mixture was stirred overnight at RT and the solvent was evaporated. Saturated NaHCO₃ was added to the residue and extractive work up with EtOAc followed by column chromatography gave the Strecker amine as a yellow syrup (1.76 g, 58% yield, R_(f)=0.70, Hexanes/EtOAc, 2:1).

[0315] Step 2: The amine of Step 1 (200 mg, 0.46 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous THF (2 ml) and 3M CH₃ MgBr (0.76 ml, 2.29 mmol) was added dropwise. The mixture was stirred at RT overnight and then cooled to 0° C. Saturated NH₄Cl (10 ml) was added and a precipitate appeared. Water (40 ml) was addded and the precipitate disappeared. Extractive work up with EtOAc followed by column chromatography gave the desired ipso-methyl derivative (169 mg, 86% yield, R_(f)=0.53, Hexanes/EtOAc, 2:1).

[0316] Step 3: The product of step 2 was treated in the manner described in Example 11, Step 6, to obtain the title compound. Dec.198° C.; HRMS (as the HCl salt): found 460.3079.

[0317] Using a similar procedure, compounds of the formula

[0318] were prepared, wherein R² is as defined in the table: Ex R² Mp (° C.) HRMS 21A

205 (dec.) 480.2532 21B

65-75* *Mp for the free amine 476.3033 21C

250 (dec.) 500.1992 21D

195 (dec.) 461.3019

EXAMPLE 22

[0319]

[0320] Step 1: The Strecker amine from Example 21, step 1 (380 mg, 0.87 mmol) was treated with CH₃ MgBr (2.9 ml, 8.7 mmol) in Et₂O (5 ml) under reflux conditions overnight. The mixture was cooled on ice and water (5 ml) was added dropwise. 12N HCl (6 ml) was added and the mixture was stirred on a steam bath for 2 h. After the mixture was cooled on ice, NaOH was added until the pH of the solution was above 10. Extractive work up with EtOAc afforded a free amine as a syrup (307 mg, 100% yield).

[0321] Step 2: The product of step 1 was converted to the title compound following the peptide coupling procedure described in Example 11, step 6. Mp. 80-85° C.; HRMS found 476.3271.

[0322] Using a similar procedure, compounds of the formula

[0323] were prepared, wherein R² is as defined in the table: Ex. R² Mp (° C.) HRMS 22A

195 (dec.) 493.3172 22B

200 (dec.) 478.3178

EXAMPLE 23

[0324]

[0325] Steps 1-3:

[0326] Step 1: Ethyl diacetoacetate (93.4 g), Cs₂CO₃ (185 g) and CH₃CN (550 ml) were mixed together, using an overhead mechanical stirrer. CH₃CN (50 ml) was added and the resulting mixture was cooled to 0° C. Methyl trifluoromethane sulfonate (88.6 g) was added dropwise and after addition, the cooling bath was removed. The mixture was stirred for 1 h at RT, filtered, and the salts were washed with Et₂O (2×50 ml). The organic extracts were combined and Et₂O (300 ml) was added. The resulting mixture was filtered, the filter cake was washed with Et₂O (2×100 ml), the Et₂O extracts were combined and evaporated to half volume. The solution was cooled in an ice bath and washed once with cooled (0° C.) 2 N NaOH (pH=11). The Et₂O layer was dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated to give the desired product as a yellow liquid (64.7 g) in 65% yield, which was used directly in the next step.

[0327] Step 2: The product of step 1 (64.2 g), sodium ethoxide in ethanol (commercial solution; 21 wt %; 113 g) ethanol (587 ml) and formamidine acetate (36.2 g) were mixed together at RT. After refluxing for 4 h, the mixture was cooled to RT, the resulting precipitate was filtered off and the ethanol was removed under vacuum. The resulting liquid was partitioned between water and CH₂Cl₂ and the aqueous layer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×150 ml). The CH₂Cl₂ extracts were dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated to give a dark crude liquid (50.7 g) which was purified by silica gel chromatography (980 g; 4:1 hexanes:EtOAc as eluant). After evaporation of the appropriate fractions, the desired product (28.5 g) was isolated in 46% yield and used directly in the next step.

[0328] Step 3: The product of step 2 (28.1 g), NaOH (6.72 g), water (65 ml) and EtOH (130 ml) were mixed together at RT and heated at reflux for 1 h. The resulting solution was cooled to RT and the volatile materials were removed in vacuo until a thick paste resulted. Water (20 ml) was added, the mixture was cooled to 0° C. and conc. HCl (14.3 ml) was added dropwise with stirring. The resulting white precipitate was collected by filtration, washed with ice water (2×10 ml) and air dried with suction for 30 min. The resulting white solid was treated with toluene (2×20 ml), the solvent was removed in vacuo at 50° C. and then dried under vacuum (1 mm Hg) for 18 h. The desired product (14.9 g) was isolated as a white solid in 63% yield, mp: 176-178° C. Elemental analysis of C₇H₈N₂O₂: calc'd C 55.26%, H 5.30%, N 18.41%; found: C 55.13%, H 5.44%, N 18.18%.

[0329] A second crop of product was isolated by evaporation of the aqueous filtrate (from above) to dryness and addition of water (20 ml). The resulting mixture was stirred at RT for 5 min, cooled in an ice bath and the precipitate formed was collected by filtration. The resulting solid was washed with ice water (2×5 ml) and dried as described above to give the product (4.68 g) as a cream colored solid to give a combined yield of 83%.

[0330] Step 4: The product of Example 4, step 6 (trihydrochloride form; 5.4 g), DMF (11.3 ml), HOBt (3.07 g), diisopropyl ethyl amine (12.3 ml) and the product of step 3 (3.45 g) were mixed together and DEC (4.35 g) was added in portions over 15 min. The resulting mixture was heated at 45° C. for 18 h, cooled to RT, diluted with EtOAc (80 ml) and washed with 2 N NaOH (25 ml). The aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc (3×25 ml), the organic extracts were combined, washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and evaporated. The resulting crude oil was purified by silica gel chromatography (170 g; 76:19:5 hexanes:EtOAc:Et₃N as eluant). After evaporation of the appropriate fractions, the free base form of the title compound (5.21 g) was isolated as a light colored foam in 91% yield.

[0331] Step 5: To a cooled (0° C.) solution of the free base of step 4 (2.00 g) and EtOAc (20 ml) was added HCl (3.0 ml of a 4.0 M solution in 1,4-dioxane). The resulting mixture was warmed to RT, diluted with Et₂O (20 ml), filtered, washed with Et₂O (2×20 ml), air dried with suction for 10 min and then under vacuum (1 mm Hg) at 90° C. for 5 h to give the title compound (2.30 g) as a white solid in 97% yield. mp: 159-162° C.

[0332] Elemental analysis of C₂₇H₃₆N₅OF₃.2HCl.0.5H₂O: calc'd: C 55.38%, H 6.71%, N 11.96%, Cl 12.11%; found: C 55.19%, H 6.69%, N 11.75%, Cl 11.45%.

[0333] Additional pyrimidine derivative-compounds were made using similar procedures:

[0334] Steps 1-2:

[0335] Step 1: The product of Example 23, step 1 was treated in the same manner as in Example 23, step 2, substituting acetamidine hydrochloride (2.03 g) for formamidine acetate. The amounts of the reagents were: product of Example 23, step 1 (4.0 g), ethanol (20 ml) and sodium ethoxide in ethanol (commercial solution; 21 wt %; 8.03 g). After extraction and purification as described above, the product was isolated (1.7 g) as a colorless liquid in 41% yield, which was used directly in the next step.

[0336] Step 2: The product of step 1 (1.7 g) was treated in the same manner as Example 23, step 3, using ethanol (5 ml), water (5 ml) and NaOH (1.0 g). After extraction and purification as described above, the product was isolated (0.12 g) as a white solid in 8% yield, which was used directly in the next step.

[0337] Step 3: The product of Example 4, step 6 (0.05 g), and the product of step 2 (immediately above) (0.028 g) were subjected to the same reaction conditions as in Example 23, step 4, using HOBt (20 mg), DEC (45 mg), diisopropyl ethylamine (40 mg) and DMF (1.5 ml). After extraction and purification as described above, the product was converted to its HCl salt using the procedure outlined for Example 23, step 5 to give the title compound (77 mg) as a white solid in 97% yield over the two steps. mp: 185-190° C.

[0338] Steps 1-2:

[0339] Step 1: The product of Example 23, step 1 was treated in the same as in Example 23, step 2, substituting benzamidine hydrochloride (3.35 g) for formamidine acetate. The amounts of the reagents were: product of Example 23, step 1 (4.0 g), ethanol (20 ml) and sodium ethoxide in ethanol (commercial solution; 21 wt %; 8.03 g). After extraction and purification as described above, the product was isolated (4.5 g) as a liquid in 82% yield which was used directly in the next step.

[0340] Step 2: The product of step 1 (4.5 g) was treated in the same manner as Example 23, step 3, using ethanol (10 ml), water (10 ml) and NaOH (2.0 g). After extraction and purification as described above, the product was isolated (3.0 g) as a white solid in 77% yield which was used directly in the next step.

[0341] Step 3: The product of Example 4, step 6 (75 mg), and the product of step 2 (immediately above) (39 mg) were subjected to the same reaction conditions as in Example 23, step 4, using HOBt (35 mg), DEC (53 mg), diisopropyl ethylamine (100 mg) and DMF (2 ml). After extraction and purification as described above, the product was converted to its HCl salt using the procedure outlined for Example 23, step 5 to give the title compound (98 mg) as a white solid in 96% yield over the two steps. mp:250-253° C.

[0342] Steps 1-2:

[0343] Step 1: The product of Example 23, step 2 (528 mg) was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (5.0 ml) and meta-chloroperbenzoic acid (mCPBA) (600 mg) was added in three portions at RT. The resulting mixture was stirred at RT for 24 h and CH₂Cl₂ (2 ml) and mCPBA (200 mg) were added. After 3 h, the mixture was poured onto a silica gel column (40 g) and eluted with 1:1 hexanes:EtOAc and then 10:1 CH₂Cl₂:CH₃OH. After evaporation of the appropriate fractions, the product was isolated (512 mg) as a waxy white solid in 89% yield, which was used directly in the next step.

[0344] Step 2: The product of step 1 was dissolved in CH₃OH (1.8 ml) and a solution of 1.0 M Na₂CO₃ (1.5 ml) was added. After stirring at RT for 36 h, the resulting mixture was evaporated to dryness, toluene (2 ml) was added and the mixture was evaporated to dryness. The resulting crude solid (153 mg) was used directly in the next step without purification.

[0345] Step 3: The product of Example 4, step 6 (94 mg), and the product of step 2 (immediately above) (76 mg) were subjected to the same reaction conditions as in Example 23, step 4, using HOBt (92 mg), DEC (130 mg), diisopropyl ethylamine (0.14 ml) and DMF (0.25 ml). After extraction and purification by preparative thin layer chromatography (1000 μM silica plate; 95:5 EtOAc:Et₃N eluant), the free base form of the title compound was isolated (52 mg) as a foam in 40% yield. HRMS: calc'd: M.H⁺: C₂₇H₃₇N₅O₂F₃: 520.2899; measured: 520.2908.

[0346] Step 4: The product of step 3 (52 mg) was subjected to the reaction conditions in Example 23, step 5, using EtOAc (1.0 ml) and HCl (4.0 M solution in 1,4-dioxane; 75 μl) to give, after work up, the title compound (44.5 mg) as a white solid in 76% yield. mp: decompostion above 161° C.

[0347] Using similar procedures, the compounds of the formula

[0348] were also prepared, wherein R^(8a)and R¹¹ are as defined in the table: Ex. R^(8a) R¹¹ m.p. (° C.) 23D —CF₃ —OH 175-185 23E —CF₃ —OCH₃ 169-173 23F —CF₃ —NH₂ 200-210 23G —CF₃ —NHCONHEt 184-190 23H —CF₃ —CF₃ 83-86 23I —CF₃

154-159 23J —CF₃ —SCH₃ >176 (dec) 23K —OCF₃ —CH₃ 205-210 23L —OCF₃ Ph 239-242 23M —OCF₃ —OCH₃ 200-210 23N —OCF₃ —OH 185-191

EXAMPLE 24 Arylcyclopropylamides

[0349] Method A:

[0350] Step 1: To the stannane (0.39 g, 0.95 mmol) in DMF (10 ml) was added the 2-chloro-4-fluoroiodobenzene (0.73 g, 2.86 mmol), Cul (0.19 g, 1.05 mmol) and tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (0) (0.11 g, 0.095 mmol). The reaction was stirred at RT under N₂ for 21 h. The reaction mixture was added to Et₂O and the heterogeneous solution filtered through a bed of celite, washing with EtOAc. The filtrate was washed with water and brine and dried (MgSO₄). Filtration and evaporation of the solvent in vacuo afforded a residue that was preadsorbed on silica gel. Purification by silica gel chromatography (4% EtOAc/hexane) yielded the arylacrylate (0.19 g, 78%), which was used directly in the next step.

[0351] Step 2: To trimethylsulfoxonium iodide (0.18 g, 0.81 mmol) in DMSO (1.6 ml) was added potassium tent-butoxide (0.09 g, 0.81 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 1 h, at which time the arylacrylate (0.19 g, 0.74 mmol) in DMSO (1.6 ml) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 5 h and water was added. The mixture was extracted with EtOAc. The combined organic layers were washed with water and brine and dried (MgSO₄). Filtration and evaporation of the solvent in vacuo afforded the arylcyclopropyl ester that was used directly by taking up into CH₂Cl₂ (3 ml) and adding TFA (0.5 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 15 h and then concentrated in vacuo to afford the arylcyclopropylcarboxylic acid (0.14 g, 91%-2 steps). Without further purification, the carboxylic acid was coupled to the product of example 8, step 3, using the procedure of Example 8, step 4 to obtain 24A as the HCl salt. HRMS (M+H): found 566.2561.

[0352] Method B:

[0353] To the 2-fluorophenylacetonitrile (0.80 g, 5.92 mmol), benzyltriethyl-ammonium chloride (0.03 g, 0.12 mmol), and 1-bromo-2-chloroethane (1.70 g, 11.9 mmol) was added 50% aqueous NaOH (3.5 ml). The reaction was stirred at 45° C. for 21 h and ethylene glycol was added (3 ml). The reaction was then warmed to 100° C. and stirred for 7 h. Upon cooling to RT, the reaction was diluted with water and washed with EtOAc. The aqueous layer was acidified to pH 2-3 with aqueous 6N HCl. The acidified solution was extracted with Et₂O . The combined Et₂O extracts were washed with water and brine and dried (MgSO₄). Filtration and evaporation of the solvent in vacuo afforded a pale yellow solid (1.06 g, 99%). The arylcyclopropyl acid was coupled to the product of example 8, step 3, using the procedure of Example 8, step 4 to obtain 24B as the HCl salt. HRMS (M+H): found 532.2949.

[0354] Using similar procedures, the compounds of the formula

[0355] were prepared, wherein

[0356] is as defined in the table: Ex.

HRMS (M + H) m.p. (° C.) 24C

— 240-245 24D

— >225 24E

— 172-176 24F

— 225-230 24G

— >225 24H

544.3151 — 24I

592.2150 — 24J

532.2956 — 24K

539.3003 — 24L

558.2949 — 24M

572.3107 — 24N

582.2910 — 24Q

582.2910 — 24P

520.2609 — 24Q

515.2991

EXAMPLE 25

[0357]

[0358] Step 1:

[0359] Cyclopropyl carboxaldehyde (3.4 ml), S-methyl N-BOC piperazine (8.28 g), CH₂Cl₂ (82 ml) and Ti(OiPr)₄ (15.80 ml) were mixed together and stirred at RT for 23 h, then the resulting solution was cooled to 0° C. and Et₂AlCN (1.0M in toluene; 62.1 ml) was added. The solution was stirred for 5 h at RT. A mixture of KF (20 g) and Celite (10 g) was added, followed by cautious addition of EtOAc (120 ml) and water (120 ml). The resulting slurry was stirred for 15 min, filtered, washed with EtOAc (3×35 ml) and the EtOAc layer was removed, washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and evaporated to give the desired intermediate (12.0 g) which was used directly in the next step.

[0360] Step 2:

[0361] To a 0° C. solution of 4-iodobenzotrifluoride (40 g) and THF (52 ml) was added isopropyl magnesium chloride (2.0 M in Et0; 74 ml). The resulting solution was stirred at RT for 1 h and then added to a 0° C solution of the product of step 1 (10.0 g) and THF (26 ml) over 10 min. The reaction solution was warmed to RT, stirred overnight and EtOAc (50 ml) was added. After stirring for 10 min, 2 N NaOH (50 ml) was added and the resulting mixture was stirred for 30 min, filtered and the salts were washed with EtOAc (3×20 ml). The combined EtOAc extracts were washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and evaporated to give the crude product (28 g) as a gold oil which was chromatographed on silica gel (1 kg), eluting with hexanes:EtOAc (8:1). Two diastereomeric products were collected as a single fraction (15.9 g) and further purified by column chromatography as described above to give intermediate A (R_(f)=0.47 in 4:1 hexanes:EtOAc; 5.34 g), which was contaminated with an unidentified impurity. (The second diastereomer B (R_(f)=0.29 in 4:1 hexanes:EtOAc ) was also collected.)

[0362] Step 3:

[0363] To a solution of A from Step 2 (3.96 g) and CH₂Cl₂ (120 ml) was added DOWEX 50×2-100 ion exchange resin (15 g) and the resulting mixture was shaken for 2.5 h at RT. The resin was filtered off and washed with CH₂Cl₂ (2×40 ml). The resin was treated with 7 N NH₃ in CH₃OH (30 ml), the resin was filtered off and this procedure was repeated two times. The CH₃OH extracts were combined and evaporated. The resulting oil was treated with toluene:CH₂Cl₂ (1:1; 15 ml) and evaporated to give the piperazine intermediate (0.80 g) as a clear oil. HRMS: calc'd: M H⁺: C₁₆H₂₂N₂F₃:299.1735; measured:299.1748.

[0364] Step 4:

[0365] The product of Step 3 (0.57 g) was treated in the same fashion as Example 8, Step 1, using N-BOC 4-piperidone (0.42 g), CH₂Cl₂ (3.84 ml), Ti(OiPr)₄ (3.39 ml), Et₂AlCN (2.88 ml) and CH₃ MgBr (3.0 M in Et₂O; 3.2 ml) to give the desired product (0.78 g) as a clear oil in 82% yield.

[0366] Step 5: The product of Step 4 (0.12 g) was treated with AcOH:CH₂Cl₂ (3:1, v:v; 1.4 ml) followed by BF₃Et₂O (0.14 ml). After stirring for 1 h, the resulting solution was diluted with CH₂Cl₂ (10 ml), cooled to 0° C. and the pH was adjusted to 10 with solid NaOH. Water (2 ml) was added and the CH₂Cl₂ layer was removed. After further extraction (2×10 ml) with CH₂Cl₂, the organic layer was washed with water, brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and evaporated to give the free piperidine (80 mg) in 81% yield.

[0367] Step 6: The product of Step 5 (57 mg) was treated in the same fashion as in Example 8, Step 4, using DMF (0.30 ml), HOBt (41 mg), DEC (57 mg), diisopropyl ethyl amine (0.08 ml) and 4,6-dimethyl 5-pyrimidine carboxylic acid (43 mg); the reaction was stirred at 45° C. for 5 h. Purification of the crude oil was carried out by preparative plate chromatography (silica adsorbent; 2000 μM; 76:19:5 EtOAc:hexanes:Et₃N as eluant) to give, after elution of the desired band (1:1 CH₂Cl₂:MeOH) and concentration of solvent, the title compound (70 mg) as a clear oil in 93% yield. The HCl salt was prepared as described for Example 8, Step 4 (78 mg) in 100% yield. mp:147-149° C.

[0368] Using a similar procedure, the following compound was prepared:

EXAMPLE 26

[0369]

[0370] Step 1:

[0371] The desired compound was prepared in a manner similar to Example 25, Step 1, using p-trifluoromethyl benzaldehyde (20 g) instead of cyclopropyl carboxaldehyde, to give, after work up, a mixture of diastereomers (22.7 g) in 59% yield.

[0372] Step 2:

[0373] To a −70° C. solution of the product of step 1 (1.9 g) and THF (15 ml) was added NaHMDS (1.0 M in THF; 7.5 ml) followed by benzyl bromide (2 ml). The cooling bath was removed and the resulting solution was stirred for 45 min. Concentrated NH₄OH (10 ml) was added and the reaction was stirred for 30 min. The resulting mixture was partitioned between water and CH₂Cl₂, the CH₂Cl₂ extracts were removed and evaporated and the crude oil was purified by column chromatography (silica gel; 2:1 hexanes:CH₂Cl₂; 10:1 to 7:1 hexanes:EtOAc as eluant) to give, after evaporation of the appropriate fractions, a mixture of intermediates (1.92 g) as a yellow foam.

[0374] Step 3:

[0375] The mixture of Step 2 (1.91 g), CH₃CN (35 ml), sodium triacetoxy borohydride (4.0 g) and magnesium bromide etherate (2.25 g) were mixed and stirred at RT for 70 h. Water (25 ml) was added and then, gradually, a solution of Na₂CO₃ (10 g) in water (50 ml). After extraction with EtOAc (2×50 ml), drying and evaporation of the organic layer, the resulting oil was purified by preparative plate chromatography (5×2000 mM silica plates; 6:1 hexanes:EtOAc as eluant). The less polar band was removed, treated with 1:1 methanol:CH₂Cl₂, filtered and evaporated to give intermediate A (0.84 g) as a white foam. HRMS: calc'd: M H⁺: C₂₅H₂₉O₂N₂F₃:449.2407; measured:4492416.

[0376] Step 4: The product of Step 3 (0.81 g) was treated in the same fashion as in Example 8, Step 3, using TFA (5 ml) and CH₂Cl₂ (10 ml), to give, after work up, the free piperazine (0.60 g) as a clear gum. HRMS: calc'd: M H⁺: C₂₀H₂₃N₂F₃: 349.1892; measured:349.1894.

[0377] Step 5: The product of Step 4 (0.39 g) was treated in the same fashion as in Example 8, Step 1, using N-BOC 4-piperidone (0.25 g), CH₂Cl₂ (8 ml), Ti(OiPr)₄ (0.40 mg), Et₂AlCN (2 ml) and CH₃ MgBr (3.0 M in Et₂O; 1.5 ml) to give the desired BOC-protected piperidinyl intermediate (0.44 g) as a clear oil in 72% yield. HRMS: calc'd: M H⁺: C₃₁H₄₂O₂N₃F₃:546.3307; measured:546.3315.

[0378] Step 6: The product of step 5 (0.43 g) was treated in the same fashion as in Example 8, Step 3, using TFA (3 ml), CH₂Cl₂ (2 ml) and water (0.2 ml) to give, after work up, the free piperidinyl intermediate (0.37 g) as a clear oil.

[0379] Step 7: The product of step 6 (50 mg) was treated in the same fashion as in Example 8, Step 4, using CH₂Cl₂, (3 ml), HOBt (28 mg), DEC (40 mg), diisopropyl ethyl amine (42 mg) and 4,6-dimethyl 5-pyrimidine carboxylic acid (24 mg); the reaction was stirred at RT for 2 days. Using the procedure described in Example 8, Step 4, the HCl salt of the title compound was prepared (59 mg) in 91% yield (from the product of Step 5). M.p:187-196° C. HRMS: calc'd: M H⁺: C₃₃H₄₀ON₅F₃:580.3263; measured:580.3263.

[0380] Using a similar procedure, compounds of the formula

[0381] were prepared, wherein R^(8a), R³ and R² are as defined in the table: Ex. R^(8a) R³ R² Mp (° C.) 26B —CF3

86-92 260 —CF3

83-90 26D —CF3

195-205 26E —CF3

118-125 26F —OCF3

175-185 26G —OCF3

180-190 26H —OCF3

220-230 26I —OCF3

195-210 26J —OCF3

190-200 26K —OCF3

180-205 26L —OCF3

230-240 26M —OCF3

60-65 26N —OCF3

65-68 26O —OCF3

60-62 26P —CF3

256-258 26Q —CF3

254-256 (dec) 26R —CF3

249-250 (dec)

EXAMPLE 27

[0382]

[0383] Step 1:

[0384] 4′-Trifluoromethyl)propiophenone (2.02 g, 0.01 mol) and (S)-2-methyl-CBS-oxazaborolidine (1M in THF) (2.0 ml, 0.002 mol) in THF (10 ml) was cooled in an ice-bath and borane-methyl sulfide complex (2M in THF) (3 ml, 0.006 mol) was added dropwise to the mixture. The mixture was stirred for 30 min at 0° C. and CH₃OH was added slowly until no bubbles appeared. The solvents were removed under reduced pressure and HCl solution (1N) was added to the mixture. EtOAc extractive work up followed by silica gel chromatography afforded the alcohol (1.47 g) in 72% yield.

[0385] Step 2: A solution of the product of Step 1 (4.32 g, 0.021 mol) and Et₃N (5.9 ml, 0.042 mol) in CH₂Cl₂ (20 ml) was cooled to 0° C. in ice bath and CH₃SO₂Cl (2.13 ml, 0.028 mol) was added dropwise. The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 1 h and the ice bath was removed. Water was added to the mixture and CH₂Cl₂ extractive work up afforded the mesylate (5.99 g) in quantitative yield.

[0386] Step 3: The product of Step 2 (5.93 g, 0.021 mol) and 1-tert-butoxy-carbonyl-3S -methyl piperazine (4.2 g, 0.021 mol) were dissolved in anhydrous CH₃CN (20 ml) and oven-dry K₂CO₃ (4.35 g, 0.032 mol) was added to the solution. The mixture was stirred under reflux for 2 days, then diluted with water. EtOAc extractive work up followed by silica gel chromatography gave the desired product (3.16 g) in 39% yield.

[0387] Step 4: TFA (10 ml) was added to a solution of the product of Step 3(1.15 g, 2.59 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (5 ml) and the mixture was stirred at RT for 2 h, then concentrated under reduced pressure. NaOH (3N) was added to the residue and extractive work up with EtOAc gave the desired amine in quantitative yield.

[0388] Step 5: The product of Step 4 and 1-tert-butoxycarbonyl-4-piperidone (0.94 g, 4.74 mmol) were treated with Ti(OiPr)₄, Et₂AlCN and CH₃MgBr in a manner similar.to that described in Example 8, step 1, to obtain the desired product (1.09 g) in 87% yield (from the amine of Step 4).

[0389] Step 6: TFA (4 ml) was added to a solution of the product of Step 5 (0.76 mg, 1.57 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (2 ml) and the mixture was stirred at RT for 2 h before it was concentrated under reduced pressure. NaOH (3N) was added to the residue and extractive work up with EtOAc gave the desired amine in quantitative yield.

[0390] Step 7: The amine of Step 6 and 4,6-dimethylpyrimidine 5-carboxylic acid (0.36 g, 2.35 mmol), were coupled as described in Example 8, Step 4, to obtain the title compound (0.58 g) in 72% yield. M.p. 160; HRMS (MH⁺) found: 518.3123.

[0391] Using a similar procedure, compounds of the formula

[0392] were prepared wherein Z, R³, R⁶ and R² are as defined in the table below: Dec. Ex. Z R³ R⁶ R² (0° C.) HRMS 27A N Me H

185 491.2744 27B N Me H

190 506.2729 27C N Me Me

190 505.2898 27D N Me Me

200 520.2902 27E CH Et Me

197 533.3097 27F CH Et Me

215 532.3147 27G CH Et Me

230 627.3145 27H CH Et Me

210 602.3678 27I CH Et Me

215 531.3305 27J CH Et Me

215 593.3470 27K CH Et Me

195 609.3424 27L CH Et Me

170 745.2308 27M N n-Pr Me

204 533.3207 27N N n-Pr Me

210 617.3798 27O N n-Pr Me

202 531.3304 27P N n-Pr Me

165 543.3311 27Q N n-Pr Me

225 584.3205 27R N n-Pr Me

195 548.3217

[0393] Using similar procedures, the following compounds were also prepared:

EXAMPLE 28

[0394]

[0395] Steps 1-4:

[0396] Step 1: The cyano amine was prepared from p-trifluoromethyl benzaldehyde and 2(S)-methyl-4-(tert-butoxycarbonyl) piperazine exactly as describedin Example 6, Step 1.

[0397] Step 2: A solution of the cyano amine 2 (2.5 g; 6.53 mmol) in 30 ml of dry THF was placed under a blanket of N₂ and cooled to −78° C. This solution was treated with a solution of sodium hexa-methyl disilazide in THF (1 M; 26 ml) followed after 5 min with neat allyl bromide (6 ml). Upon removal of the bath and letting the reaction mixture warm to RT (˜1h), it changed from a yellow solution to dark reddish brown solution. The reaction was quenched with saturated NH₄Cl solution and the product extracted with EtOAc, washed with water, brine and dried. Concentration in vacuo afforded a brown semi solid. FSGC of this material using 25% Et₂O in hexane as eluant gave 2.5 grams (92%) of the desired product as an amber gum (TLC R_(f)=0.65, 0.6 for two overlapping spots).

[0398] Step 3: A solution of the product of Step 2 (2.4 g) in CH₃OH was treated with 10% Pd/C (0.2 g) and placed under a balloon of H₂ gas. After stirring at RT for 4 h, the catalyst was removed via filtration through celite. Concentration of the filtrate yielded an amber gum.

[0399] The (β-propyl nitrile obtained above was dissolved in CH₃CN (12 ml). Magnesium bromide etherate (2.1 g; 8.14 mmol) and sodium triacetoxy borohydride (3.44 g; 16.2 mmol) were added and the reaction mixture was stirred at RT overnight. The reaction was quenched with water and rendered basic with saturated NaHCO₃. The organic products were extracted with EtOAc and processed to obtain ˜2 g of crude material. FSGC (10-25% Et₂O in hexane) served to isolate two diasteromeric products (1.7 g total; 79% for two steps):

[0400] (S, S)-Diastereomer (A): TLC R_(f)=0.6 (25% Et₂O-Hexane). 0.9 g of a colorless gum.

[0401] (R, S)-Diastereomer (B): TLC R_(f)=0.5 (25% Et₂O-Hexane). 0.8 g of a colorless gum.

[0402] Step 4: Removal of the BOC-protecting group from the intermediate A was accomplished by treatment with TFA in CH₂Cl₂. The isolated free piperazine (0.68 g; 2.3 mmol), N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-4-piperidinone (0.45 g; 2.3 mmol) and Ti(OiPr)₄ (0.7 mL; 2.5 mmol) were dissolved in 10 ml of CH₂Cl₂ and stirred overnight. Et₂AlCN (1M in toluene; 2.7 ml) was introduced into the reaction mixture and the resultant solution was stirred for a day. The reaction was diluted with EtOAc and quenched with water. Celite was added to aid in the filtration of titanium and aluminum salts. The biphasic filtrate was washed with water, brine and dried. Concentration in vacuo yielded 1.1 g of a yellow gum (TLC R_(f)=0.55 in 25% EtOAc-hexane).

[0403] The resultant ipso-cyano compound was dissolved in dry THF (8 ml) and treated with a solution of CH₃MgBr (3M in Et₂O; 6 ml) and stirred overnight at RT. The reaction flask was placed in a cold water bath and carefully quenched with saturated NH₄Cl solution. The organic product was extracted with EtOAc and washed with water and brine. Concentration to a crude product which was purified by rapid FSGC (10-25% EtOAc in hexane) gave the BOC-piperidinyl compound as a pale yellow gum (1.1 g; 100%). TLC R_(f)=0.6 in 25% EtOAc-hexane.

[0404] Step 5: The BOC-protecting group on the piperidine nitrogen in the product of Step 4 was removed by treatment with TFA in CH₂Cl₂. Basification with 1 M NaOH and processing in CH₂Cl₂ afforded the unprotected piperidine in 90% yield. This intermediate was coupled (EDCl, HOBt) to aryl and heteroaryl carboxylic acids to obtain the amides exemplified in the following table:

[0405] wherein R ² is as defined in the table: Mp Ex. R² (° C.) HRMS (MH⁺) 28A

249 Calculated: 532.3263 Found: 532.3268 28B

59 Calculated: 547.3260 Found: 547.3278 28C

246 Calculated: 530.3358 Found: 530.3372 28D

239 Calculated: 542.3358 Found: 542.3361 28E

258 Calculated: 583.3260 Found: 583.3272 28F

102 Calculated: 623.3573 Found: 623.3572 28G

216 Calculated: 545.3467 Found: 545.3459 28H

217 Calculated: 546.3307 Found: 546.3309 28I

223 Calculated: 616.3838 Found: 616.3848

[0406] Using similar procedures, the following compounds were prepared:

[0407] wherein R⁸, R³ and R² are as defined in the table: Ex. R⁸ R³ R² Mp (° C.) 28J —CF₃

195-220 28K —CF₃

105-115 28L CH₃CONH—

177-180 28M —CF₃

224-232

[0408] Using 3-fluoro benzyl bromide or chloride in place of benzyl bromide in the procedure of Example 28, steps 1-4 (processing isomer B in step 3), then using the process of Example 1, step 5, followed by the process of Example 26, steps 6-7, the following compound was prepared (HCl salt):

EXAMPLE 29

[0409]

[0410] Steps 1-3:

[0411] Step1: Solid m-CPBA was added to a solution of p-trifluoromethyl styrene (3 g; 17.4 mmol) in 30 ml of CH₂Cl₂ and stirred at RT for 20 h. About 20 ml of a saturated solution of NaHCO₃ was added and stirred at RT for 2 h. The mixture was diluted with 20 ml of CH₂Cl₂and the organic product extracted into the CH₂Cl₂ layer. The organic extract was processed to obtain the crude product. FSGC gave 3 g (90%) of the desired epoxide as a colorless oil. TLC R_(f)=0.8 (25% EtOAc in hexane).

[0412] Step 2: Freshly prepared NaOCH₃ (0.6 g; 10.6 mmol) was added to a solution of the product of Step 1 (2 g; 10.6 mmol) in 20 ml of anhydrous CH₃OH. After stirring at RT for a day, CH₃OH was removed in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ and washed with water and brine. Concentration, followed by FSGC, furnished 1.3 g (55%) of the carbinol as a colorless oil (R_(f)=0.3 50% Et₂O in hexane).

[0413] Step 3: The carbinol of Step 2 (1.3 g; 5.9 mmol) was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ and cooled in an ice bath. Sequential treatment with Et₃N (1.7 ml; 12 mmol) and CH₃SO₂Cl (0.6 ml; 7.7 mmol) and stirring for 30 min formed the mesylate. The product was extracted by standard work up (yield=100%).

[0414] The mesylate (1.76 g; 5.9 mmol) and 2(S)-methyl-4-(tert-butoxycarbonyl) piperazine (2.4 g; 12 mmol) were dissolved in 5 ml of CH₃CN and heated to reflux for 19 h. The reaction mixture was cooled to RT and directly subjected to flash chromatography on silica gel. Eluting with 25%, then 50% Et20 in hexane served to isolate the diastereomeric products A and B (Total yield=86%).

[0415] A: R_(f)=0.5 (50% Et₂O in hexane). Light yellow gum (0.9 g; 42%)

[0416] B: R_(f)=0.4 (50% Et₂O in hexane). Amber gum (1.13 g; 44%)

[0417] Step 4: Reductive amination of the free piperazine dervied from A (0.9 g; 2.2 mmol) with N-BOC-piperidin-4-one with the installation of the ipso-methyl group was carried out as described in Example 1, step 4. to obtain the BOC-protected piperidinyl compound (0.87 g; 92%). R_(f)=0.3 (50% EtOAc in hexane).

[0418] Step 5: The BOC protecting group was removed from the piperidine nitrogen via TFA, and the resultant compound was coupled with acids using the EDCl/HOBt method as described in Example 8, step 4, to obtain the compounds shown in the following table:

[0419] wherein R² is as shown in the table: Mp Ex. R² (° C.) HRMS (MH⁺) 29A

163 Calculated: 534.3056 Found: 534.3050 29B

208 Calculated: 548.3100 Found: 548.3092 29C

101 Calculated: 549.3053 Found: 549.3057 29D

192 Calculated: 618.3631 Found: 618.3638

EXAMPLE 30

[0420]

[0421] Step 1:

[0422] A solution of ptrifluoromethoxy benzaldehyde (0.48 ml, 3.36 mmol), the piperidino-pipiperazine (1.00 g, 3.36 mmol) and benzotriazole (0.48 g, 4.00 mmol) in dry toluene were heated at reflux for 6 h. The reaction mixture was cooled to RT and the solvent was removed in vacuo. Following NMR verification of the formation of the product, the product was used without further purification in the next step.

[0423] Step 2:

[0424] To a solution of the product of Step 1 (1.16 g, 1.97 mmol) in 20 ml of toluene was added a solution of n-propyl magnesium bromide (2M in Et₂O, 1.1 ml) and the mixture stirred at RT for 15 h. The reaction mixture was quenched by pouring onto ice and saturated aqueous NH₄Cl solution. The aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc, washed with 1M NaOH solution, water and brine. Concentration and purification by FSGC (20% EtOAc-hexane) provided the desired product A. Further elution with 30% EtOAc in hexane gave the (R, S) diastereomer B.

[0425] Step 3: The amine A was treated with TFA in CH₂Cl₂to remove the BOC-protecting group. Coupling of the free piperidine with acids using EDCl/HOBt provided compounds 30-30B in the following table; similar methods were used to prepare compounds 30C-l.

HRMS (MH⁺) Ex. R^(8a) R³ R² Mp (° C.) found 30 —OCF₃ n-Pr

237 546.3314 30A —OCF₃ n-Pr

241 548.3217 30B —OCF₃ n-Pr

219 632.3779 30C H

175-178 — 30D H

177-189 — 30E H

84-90 — 30F —CF₃

180-192 — 30G —CF₃

180-186 — 30H H

178-188 — 30I —OCF₃

165-175 —

[0426] Mixture of Diastereomers

EXAMPLE 31

[0427]

[0428] A solution of the product of Example 12, step 2 (150 mg, 0.27 mmol), imidazole (27.4 mg, 0.403mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (48 mg, 0.27 mmol), trans,trans-dibenzylideneacetone (6.28 mg, 0.027 mmol), copper (II) trifluoromethanesulfonate benzene complex (15 mg, 0.027 mmol) and Cs₂CO₃ (96.1 mg, 0.30 mmol) in xylene (2 ml) was stirred at 110° C. for 5 days. The reaction mixture was cooled to RT and saturated NaHCO₃ was added. Extractive EtOAc work up followed by silica gel chromatography gave the title compound (70 mg, 52% yield). Dec. 215° C. (HCl salt). HRMS calcd for C₂₉H₃₉ClN₃OS (M+H+) 500.3389, found 500.3396.

[0429] The following assays can be used to determine the CCR5 antagonistic activity of the compounds of the invention.

[0430] CCR5 Membrane Binding Assay:

[0431] A high throughput screen utilizing a CCR5 membrane binding assay identifies inhibitors of RANTES binding. This assay utilizes membranes prepared from NIH 3T3 cells expressing the human CCR5 chemokine receptor which have the ability to bind to RANTES, a natural ligand for the receptor. Using a 96-well plate format, membrane preparations are incubated with ¹²⁵I-RANTES in the presence or absence of compound for one hour. Compounds are serially diluted over a wide range of 0.001 ug/ml to 1 ug/ml and tested in triplicates. Reaction cocktails are harvested through glass fiber filters, and washed thoroughly. Total counts for replicates are averaged and data reported as the concentration required to inhibit 50 percent of total ¹²⁵I-RANTES binding. Compounds with potent activity in the membrane binding assay are further characterized in secondary cell-based HIV-1 entry and replication assays.

[0432] HIV-1 Entry Assay:

[0433] Replication defective HIV-1 reporter virions are generated by cotransfection of a plasmid encoding the NL4-3 strain of HIV-1 (which has been modified by mutation of the envelope gene and introduction of a luciferase reporter plasmid) along with a plasmid encoding one of several HIV-1 envelope genes as described by Connor et al , Virology, 206 (1995), p. 935-944. Following transfection of the two plasmids by calcium phosphate precipitation, the viral supernatants are harvested on day 3 and a functional viral titer determined. These stocks are then used to infect U87 cells stably expressing CD4 and the chemokine receptor CCR5 which have been preincubated with or without test compound. Infections are carried out for 2 hours at 37° C., the cells washed and media replaced with fresh media containing compound. The cells are incubated for 3 days, lysed and luciferase activity determined. Results are reported as the concentration of compound required to inhibit 50% of the luciferase activity in the control cultures.

[0434] HIV-1 Replication Assay:

[0435] This assay uses primary peripheral blood mononuclear cells or the stable U87-CCR5 cell line to determine the effect of anti-CCR5 compounds to block infection of primary HIV-1 strains. The primary lymphocytes are purified from normal healthy donors and stimulated in vitro with PHA and IL-2 three days prior to infection. Using a 96-well plate format, cells are pretreated with drug for 1 hour at 37° C. and subsequently infected with an M-tropic HIV-1 isolates. Following infection, the cells are washed to remove residual inoculum and cultured in the presence of compound for 4 days. Culture supernatants are harvested and viral replication measured by determination of viral p24 antigen concentration.

[0436] Calcium Flux Assay:

[0437] Cells expressing the HIV coreceptor CCR5 are loaded with calcium sensitive dyes prior to addition of compound or the natural CCR5 ligand. Compounds with agonist properties will induce a calcium flux signal in the cell, while CCR5 antagonists are identified as compounds which do not induce signaling by themselves but are capable of blocking signaling by the natural ligand RANTES.

[0438] GTPγS Binding Assay:

[0439] A GTPγS binding assay measures receptor activation by CCR5 ligands. This assay measures the binding of ³⁵S labeled-GTP to receptor coupled G-proteins that occurs as a result of receptor activation by an appropriate ligand. In this assay, the CCR5 ligand, RANTES, is incubated with membranes from CCR5 expressing cells and binding to the receptor activation (or binding) is determined by assaying for bound ³⁵S label. The assay quantitatively determines if compounds exhibit agonist characteristics by inducing activation of the receptor or alternatively antagonist properties by measuring inhibition of RANTES binding in a competitive or non-competitive fashion.

[0440] Chemotaxis Assay:

[0441] The chemotaxis assay is a functional assay which characterizes the agonist vs. antagonist properties of the test compounds. The assay measures the ability of a non-adherent murine cell line expressing human CCR5 (BaF-550) to migrate across a membrane in response to either test compounds or natural ligands (i.e., RANTES, MIP-1β). Cells migrate across the permeable membrane towards compounds with agonist activity. Compounds that are antagonists not only fail to induce chemotaxis, but are also capable of inhibiting cell migration in response to known CCR5 ligands.

[0442] The role of CC chemokine receptors such as CCR-5 receptors in inflammatory conditions has been reported in such publications as Immunology Letters, 57, (1997), 117-120 (arthritis); Clinical & Experimental Rheumatology, 17 (4) (1999), p. 419-425 (rheumatoid arthritis); Clinical & Experimental Immunology, 117 (2) (1999), p.237-243 (atopic dermatitis); International Journal of Immunopharmacology, 20 (11) (1998), p. 661-7 (psoriasis); Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, 100 (6, Pt 2) (1997), p. S52-5 (asthma); and Journal of Immunology, 159 (6) (1997), p. 2962-72 (allergies).

[0443] In the assay to determine inhibition of RANTES binding, compounds of the invention range in activity from a Ki of about 0.5 to about 1500 nM, with preferred compounds having a range of activity from about 0.5 to about 750 nM, more preferably about 0.5 to 300 nM, and most preferably about 0.5 to 50 nM. The results for preferred and representative compounds of formulas I and II in the test to determine inhibition of RANTES binding are given in the table below. In the table, “Ex. No.” stands for “Example Number” and “nM” stands for “nanomolar.” Ki (nM) Inhibition of Ex. No. RANTES binding  3C 9.97  6C 30.0  6E 1.43 11 10.5 16 60 20A 1300 23 2.95

[0444] For preparing pharmaceutical compositions of the CCR5 antagonist compounds described by this invention, inert, pharmaceutically acceptable carriers can be either solid or liquid. Solid form preparations include powders, tablets, dispersible granules, capsules, cachets and suppositories. The powders and tablets may be comprised of from about 5 to about 95 percent active ingredient. Suitable solid carriers are known in the art, e.g. magnesium carbonate, magnesium stearate, talc, sugar or lactose. Tablets, powders, cachets and capsules can be used as solid dosage forms suitable for oral administration. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and methods of manufacture for various compositions may be found in A. Gennaro (ed.), Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th Edition, (1990), Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa.

[0445] Liquid form preparations include solutions, suspensions and emulsions. As an example may be mentioned water or water-propylene glycol solutions for parenteral injection or addition of sweeteners and opacifiers for oral solutions, suspensions and emulsions. Liquid form preparations may also include solutions for intranasal administration.

[0446] Aerosol preparations suitable for inhalation may include solutions and solids in powder form, which may be in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, such as an inert compressed gas, e.g. nitrogen.

[0447] Also included are solid form preparations which are intended to be converted, shortly before use, to liquid form preparations for either oral or parenteral administration. Such liquid forms include solutions, suspensions and emulsions.

[0448] The CCR5 antagonist compounds of the invention may also be deliverable transdermally. The transdermal compositions can take the form of creams, lotions, aerosols and/or emulsions and can be included in a transdermal patch of the matrix or reservoir type as are conventional in the art for this purpose.

[0449] Preferably the CCR5 antagonist compound is administered orally.

[0450] Preferably, the pharmaceutical preparation is in a unit dosage form. In such form, the preparation is subdivided into suitably sized unit doses containing appropriate quantities of the active component, e.g., an effective amount to achieve the desired purpose.

[0451] The quantity of active compound in a unit dose of preparation may be varied or adjusted from about 10 mg to about 500 mg, preferably from about 25 mg to about 300 mg, more preferably from about 50 mg to about 250 mg, and most preferably from about 55 mg to about 200 mg, according to the particular application.

[0452] The actual dosage employed may be varied depending upon the requirements of the patient and the severity of the condition being treated. Determination of the proper dosage regimen for a particular situation is within the skill of the art. For convenience, the total daily dosage may be divided and administered in portions during the day as required.

[0453] The amount and frequency of administration of the CCR5 antagonist compounds of the invention and/or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof will be regulated according to the judgment of the attending clinician considering such factors as age, condition and size of the patient as well as severity of the symptoms being treated. A typical recommended daily dosage regimen for oral administration can range from about 100 mg/day to about 300 mg/day, preferably 150 mg/day to 250 mg/day, more preferably about 200 mg/day, in two to four divided doses.

[0454] The doses and dosage regimen of the NRTIs, NNRTIs, PIs and other agents will be determined by attending clinician in view of the approved doses and dosage regimen in the package insert or as set forth in the protocol taking into consideration the age, sex and condition of the patient and the severity of the HIV-1 infection.

[0455] While the present invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments set forth above, many alternatives, modifications and variations thereof will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. All such alternatives, modifications and variations are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound represented by the structural formula II

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein (1) R^(a) is R^(8a)-phenyl, R^(8b)-pyridyl, R^(8b)-thiophenyl or R⁸-naphthyl; R¹ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl; R² is R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹-phenyl; R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹-substituted 6-membered heteroaryl; R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹-substituted 6-membered heteroaryl N-oxide; R¹², R¹³-substituted 5-membered heteroaryl; naphthyl; fluorenyl; diphenylmethyl,

R³ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy(C₁-C₆)alkyl, C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkyl, C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, R⁸-phenyl, R⁸-phenyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, R⁸-naphthyl, R⁸-naphthyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, R⁸-heteroaryl or R⁸-heteroaryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl; R⁴, R⁵, R⁷ and R¹³ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and (C₁-C₆)-alkyl; R⁶ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or C₂-C₆ alkenyl; R⁸ is 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, —CF₃, CF₃O—, CH₃C(O)—, —CN, CH₃SO₂—, CF₃SO₂—, R¹⁴-phenyl, R¹⁴-benzyl, CH₃C(═NOCH₃), CH₃C(═NOCH₂CH₃),

—NH₂, —NHCOCF₃, —NHCONH(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NHCO(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NHSO₂(C₁-C₆ alkyl), 5-membered heteroaryl and

wherein X is —O—, —NH— or —N(CH₃)—; R^(8a) is 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, —CF₃, CF₃O—, —CN, CF₃SO₂—, R¹⁴-phenyl, —NHCOCF₃, 5-membered heteroaryl and

wherein X is as defined above; R^(8b) is 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, —CF₃, CF₃O—, CH₃C(O)—, —CN, CF₃SO₂—, R¹⁴-benzyl, CH₃C(═NOCH₃), CH₃C(═NOCH₂CH₃),

—NHCOCF₃, 5-membered heteroaryl and

wherein X is as defined above; R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently selected from the group consisting of (C₁-C₆)alkyl, halogen, —NR¹⁷R¹⁸, —OH, —CF₃, —OCH₃, —O-acyl, —OCF₃ and —Si(CH₃)₃; R¹¹ is R⁹, hydrogen, phenyl, —NO₂, —CN, —CH₂F, —CHF₂, —CHO, —CH═NOR¹⁷, pyridyl, pyridyl N-oxide, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, —N(R¹⁷)CONR¹⁸R¹⁹, —NHCONH(chloro-(C₁-C₆)alkyl), —NHCONH((C₃-C₁)cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl), —NHCO(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —NHCOCF₃, —NHSO₂N((C₁-C₆)alkyl)₂, —NHSO₂(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —N(SO₂CF₃)₂, —NHCO₂(C₁-C₆)alkyl, C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkyl, —SR²⁰, —SOR²⁰, —SO₂R²⁰, —SO₂ NH(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —OSO₂(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —OSO₂CF₃, hydroxy(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —CON R¹⁷R¹⁸, —CON(CH₂CH₂—O—CH₃)₂, —OCONH(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —CO₂R¹⁷, —Si(CH₃)₃ or —B(OC(CH₃)₂)₂; R¹² is (C₁-C₆)alkyl, —NH₂ or R¹⁴-phenyl; R¹⁴ is 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)alkyl, —CF₃, —CO₂R₁₇, —CN, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy and halogen; R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁-C₆ alkyl, or R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ together are a C₂-C₅ alkylene group and with the carbon to which they are attached form a spiro ring of 3 to 6 carbon atoms; R¹⁷, R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ are independently selected from the group consisting of H and C₁-C₆ alkyl; and R²⁰ is C₁-C₆ alkyl or phenyl; or (2) R^(a) is R⁸-phenyl, R⁸-pyridyl or R⁸-thiophenyl; R² is fluorenyl, diphenylmethyl,

and R¹, R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴ _(, R) ¹⁵, R¹⁶, R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are as defined in (1).
 2. A compound of claim 1 wherein R^(a) is R^(8a)-phenyl or R⁸-naphthyl.
 3. A compound of claim 2 wherein R^(a) is

wherein R^(8a) is —CF₃, CF₃O— or halogen; or R^(a) is

wherein R⁸ is C₁-C₆ alkoxy.
 4. A compound of claim 1 wherein R³ is hydrogen, (C₁-C₆) alkyl, R⁸-phenyl, R⁸-benzyl or R⁸-pyridyl.
 5. A compound of claim 1 wherein R¹ is hydrogen; R⁶ is hydrogen or methyl; R⁴ is methyl; and R⁵ and R⁷ are each hydrogen.
 6. A compound of claim 1 wherein R² is R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹-phenyl; R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹-pyridyl or an N-oxide thereof; or R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹-pyrimidyl.
 7. A compound of claim 6 wherein R² is selected from the group consisting of

wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ are selected from the group consisting of (C₁-C₆)alkyl, halogen, —OH and —NH₂.
 8. A compound selected from the group consisting of those represented by the structural formula

wherein R, R³, R⁶ and R² are as defined in the following table: R R³ R⁶ R²

H

H

H

H

H

—CH₃

—CH₃

—CH₃

—CH₃

—CH₃

—CH₃

H

H

—CH₃

—CH₃

—CH₃

—CH₃

—CH₃

H —CH₃

H —CH₃

H —CH₃

H —CH₃

—CH₃

H H

H

—CH₃

H

—CH₃

H

H

H

H

—CH₃

H —CH₃

H —CH₃

—CH₂CH₃

—CH₂CH₃

—CH₂CH₃

—CH₃

—CH₃

—CH₃

—CH₃

—CH₃

—CH₃

—CH₃

—CH₃

—CH₃

—CH₃

—CH₃

—CH₃

—CH₃


9. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a CCR5 antagonist of claim 1 in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 10. A method of treating Human Immunodeficiency Virus comprising administering to a human in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a CCR5 antagonist of claim
 1. 11. The method of claim 10 further comprising administering one or more antiviral or other agents useful in the treatment of Human Immuno-deficiency Virus in combination with the CCR5 antagonist of claim
 1. 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the antiviral agent is selected from the group consisting of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the antiviral agent is selected from the group consisting of zidovudine, lamivudine, zalcitabine, didanosine, stavudine, abacavir, adefovir dipivoxil, lobucavir, BCH-10652, emitricitabine, beta-L-FD4, DAPD, lodenosine, nevirapine, delaviridine, efavirenz, PNU-142721, AG-1549, MKC-442, (+)-calanolide A and B, saquinavir, indinavir, ritonavir, nelfinavir, lasinavir, DMP-450, BMS-2322623, ABT-378, amprenavir, hydroxyurea, ribavirin, IL-2, IL-12, pentafuside, Yissum No. 11607 and AG-1549.
 14. A method treating solid organ transplant rejection, graft v. host disease, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis comprising administering to a human in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a CCR5 antagonist of claim
 1. 15. A method of treating Human Immunodeficiency Virus, solid organ transplant rejection, graft v. host disease, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, asthma, allergies or multiple sclerosis, comprising administering to a human in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a CCR5 antagonist of the structural formula I:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R is R⁸-phenyl, R⁸-pyridyl, R⁸-thiophenyl or R⁸-naphthyl; R¹ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl; R² is R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹-phenyl; R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹-substituted 6-membered heteroaryl; R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹-substituted 6-membered heteroaryl N-oxide; R¹², R¹³-substituted 5-membered heteroaryl; naphthyl; fluorenyl; diphenylmethyl

R³ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy(C₁-C₆)alkyl, C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkyl, C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, R⁸-phenyl, R⁸-phenyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, R⁸-naphthyl, R⁸-naphthyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, R⁸-heteroaryl or R⁸-heteroaryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl; R⁴, R⁵, R⁷ and R¹³ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and (C₁-C₆)-alkyl; R⁶ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or C₂-C₆ alkenyl; R⁸ is 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, —CF₃, CF₃O—, CH₃C(O)—, —CN, CH₃SO₂—, CF₃SO₂—, R¹⁴-phenyl, R¹⁴-benzyl, CH₃C(═NOCH₃), CH₃C(═NOCH₂CH₃),

—NH₂, —NHCOCF₃, —NHCONH(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NHCO(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —NHSO₂(C₁-C₆ alkyl), 5-membered heteroaryl and

wherein X is —O—, —NH— or —N(CH₃)—; R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently selected from the group consisting of (C₁-C₆)alkyl, halogen, —NR¹⁷R¹⁸, —OH, —CF₃, —OCH₃, —O-acyl, —OCF₃ and —Si(CH₃)₃; R¹¹ is R⁹, hydrogen, phenyl, —NO₂, —CN, —CH₂F, —CHF₂, —CHO, —CH═NOR¹⁷, pyridyl, pyridyl N-oxide, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, —N(R¹⁷)CONR¹⁸R¹⁹, —NHCONH(chloro-(C₁-C₆)alkyl), —NHCONH((C₃-C₁)cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl), —NHCO(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —NHCOCF₃, —NHSO₂N((C₁-C₆)alkyl)₂, —NHSO₂(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —N(SO₂CF₃)₂, —NHCO₂(C₁-C₆)alkyl, C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkyl, —SR²⁰, —SOR²⁰, —SO₂R²⁰, —SO₂NH(C₁-C₆ alkyl), —OSO₂(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —OSO₂CF₃, hydroxy(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —CONR¹⁷R¹⁸, —CON(CH₂CH₂—O—CH₃)₂, —OCONH(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —CO₂R¹⁷, —Si(CH₃)₃ or —B(OC(CH₃)₂)₂; R¹² is (C₁-C₆)alkyl, —NH₂ or R¹⁴-phenyl; R¹⁴ is 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)alkyl, —CF₃, —CO₂R₁₇, —CN, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy and halogen; R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁-C₆ alkyl, or R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ together are a C₂-C₅ alkylene group and with the carbon to which they are attached form a spiro ring of 3 to 6 carbon atoms; R¹⁷, R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ are independently selected from the group consisting of H and C₁-C₆ alkyl; and R²⁰ is C₁-C₆ alkyl or phenyl.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein R is R⁸-phenyl or R⁸-naphthyl.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein R is


18. The method of claim 15 wherein R³ is hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)alkyl, R⁸-phenyl, R⁸-benzyl or R⁸-pyridyl.
 19. The method of claim 15 wherein R¹ is hydrogen and R⁶ is hydrogen or methyl.
 20. The method of claim 15 wherein R² is R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹-phenyl; R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹-pyridyl or an N-oxide thereof, or R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹-pyrimidyl.
 21. The method of claim 20 wherein R² is selected from the group consisting of

wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ are selected from the group consisting of (C₁-C₆)alkyl, halogen, —OH and —NH₂.
 22. The method of claim 21 wherein R² is phenyl or pyridyl and R¹¹ is hydrogen, or wherein R² is pyrimidyl and R¹¹ is hydrogen, methyl or phenyl.
 23. The method of claim 15 for the treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, further comprising one or more antiviral or other agents useful in the treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
 24. The method of claim 23 wherein the antiviral agent is selected from the group consisting of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors.
 25. The method of claim 15 for the treatment of solid organ transplant rejection, graft v. host disease, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis, further comprising one or more other agents useful in the treatment of said diseases.
 26. A kit comprising in separate containers in a single package pharmaceutical compositions for use in combination to treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus which comprises in one container a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a CCR5 antagonist of claim 15 in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and in separate containers, one or more pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a antiviral or other agent useful in the treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 